Sourcing fresh-cut hydrangeas from China
Fresh-cut hydrangeas from China have an 8% base UK duty, with a recorded suspension to 0% where applicable. Confirm the plant health risk category and any phytosanitary certificate requirement before dispatch to Great Britain. Specify flower-head maturity, stem strength and packing. Cambridge China Bridge sources fresh-cut hydrangeas.
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Fresh-cut hydrangea duty and suspension
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 0603 covers cut flowers and flower buds for bouquets or ornamental use, fresh or otherwise prepared. Fresh-cut hydrangeas fall within the residual fresh-flower line 0603 19 70 90, subject to classification confirmation. The table shows colour options under the same commodity line.
The supplied tariff record gives an 8% third-country duty and an autonomous tariff suspension of 0.00%, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty on this line. The suspension excludes mixtures, preparations or products made up of different components containing these products. Ask your broker to confirm its application to the actual shipment. The tariff also attaches an organic-products import control; confirm its requirements with your broker if the flowers are described as organic.
Confirm the botanical identity, fresh condition and whether the shipment contains hydrangeas alone through finding your commodity code. For the wider heading, see the fresh-cut peonies guide. Check the applicable plant health category separately before dispatch.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh-cut hydrangeas, white | 0603 19 70 90 | 8% | None |
Specify hydrangea heads, stems and hydration
Specify species and cultivar, natural or dyed colour, flower-head diameter, maturity, stem length and strength, foliage allowance and acceptable cosmetic defects. Approve photographs and physical samples showing the agreed shade and head shape. Agree hydration treatment, protective sleeves, carton layout and temperature handling, then trial the flowers after the proposed transport and rehydration process.
For Great Britain, use the official plant health checking service with the botanical name, cut-flower form and Chinese origin. Confirm with APHA which registration, phytosanitary certification, pre-notification, checks and fees apply to the shipment's risk category, and which plant health standard applies to any wood packaging. Confirm the category before arranging dispatch.
Official plant import guidance directs organic importers to the organic import rules. Its linked guidance discusses food, feed and seed, so ask your customs broker to confirm the certificate of inspection requirement for ornamental hydrangeas before using organic claims.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 2,000 fresh-cut hydrangea stems, illustrative order under 0603 19 70 90, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,900. Duty at 8% is £552. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £7,452, so it is £1,490.40. Import taxes total £2,042.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £552 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Heads: check fullness, maturity and colour against the approved sample, looking for bruising, browning and crushed florets.
Stems: check agreed length, strength, straightness and cut ends; record snapped stems and drooping heads.
Hydration and packing: inspect arrival condition, damp sleeves and mould; rehydrate a sample and check recovery and vase performance.
Identity and documents: match the botanical name, origin and carton contents to the invoice and any required plant health certificate. Record findings using the quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
Hydrangea orders can arrive with limp heads, bruised florets or inconsistent maturity. Tight packing crushes the flower heads, while moisture trapped around damaged flowers encourages mould. Shade differences can make an otherwise usable batch unsuitable for a matched event arrangement.
Photograph damage before unpacking and record carton condition alongside the flowers’ recovery after hydration. Agree acceptance criteria and claims evidence before shipping. Check plant health paperwork early, and have your broker assess the suspension before budgeting on zero duty.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For repeat volumes, see container programmes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on fresh-cut hydrangeas from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 8% for 0603 19 70 90 and a suspension to 0.00%. Confirm eligibility: the suspension excludes specified mixtures and products containing different components.
Do fresh-cut hydrangeas need a phytosanitary certificate?
Confirm the category for the botanical species and Chinese origin before dispatch. Ask APHA to confirm whether a phytosanitary certificate is required and which other procedures apply to that category.
Can I describe imported hydrangeas as organic?
The tariff attaches an organic-products import control. Ask your broker to confirm the certificate of inspection and supporting evidence needed for ornamental flowers before using organic claims.
What should I check when hydrangeas arrive?
Check flower-head bruising and maturity, stem damage, colour consistency, hydration and mould. Rehydrate a sample and assess recovery against the agreed acceptance criteria.