Sourcing fresh-cut lisianthus from China
Fresh-cut lisianthus from China has an 8% base UK duty, with a 0% tariff suspension where applicable. Chinese-origin lisianthus is medium risk A for Great Britain: arrange a phytosanitary certificate and pre-notification before arrival. Specify bud opening, stem grade and cold-chain handling. Cambridge China Bridge sources fresh-cut lisianthus.
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Lisianthus duty and the tariff suspension
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 0603 covers cut flowers and flower buds for bouquets or ornamental use, including fresh and prepared flowers. Fresh-cut lisianthus fits the residual fresh-flower description under 0603 19 70 90. The table shows colour variants sharing that tariff line. For wider heading coverage, see our fresh-cut roses guide.
The supplied tariff record lists an 8% third-country duty and a 0.00 % autonomous tariff suspension for this line, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure recorded. The suspension excludes mixtures, preparations or products made up of different components containing these products. Confirm its application to the actual shipment. The tariff also attaches an organic-products import control; ask your customs broker to confirm the certificate requirement for flowers offered as organic.
Confirm the species, fresh-cut condition and whether the shipment contains separate bunches or mixed bouquets before choosing the commodity code. Check the suspension at declaration rather than treating the base rate as the amount payable. See UK import duty and VAT for the calculation method.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh-cut lisianthus, white | 0603 19 70 90 | 8% | None |
Specify stems, flower opening and handling
Agree the cultivar, colour reference, single or double flowers, stem length and straightness, branching, usable flowers and buds per stem, and the opening stage at dispatch. Define acceptable petal marking, damaged buds and leaf yellowing against photographs or an approved sample. Specify bunch counts, sleeves and carton support that protect flower heads without compressing them.
Confirm the plant-health risk category for Chinese-origin lisianthus with the plant-health authority. For Great Britain, ask the authority to confirm importer registration, checks and applicable fees. Medium-risk A goods require a phytosanitary certificate from the exporting country's plant health authority and pre-notification. Agree responsibility for documents alongside cooling, packing, transport and prompt receipt. A supplier's quality report does not replace a required phytosanitary certificate.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 2,000 fresh-cut lisianthus stems; illustrative FOB and freight values 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
Identity and grade: check cultivar, colour, stem length, branching and bunch counts against the order.
Flowers and buds: check opening stage, bruised petals, crushed buds, broken side shoots and uneven maturity.
Condition: check wilting, yellow leaves, mould, insects, wet sleeves and carton damage; review the agreed transport temperature record.
Receipt trial: rehydrate a sample using the agreed procedure and record opening, stem firmness and vase performance. Use our quality inspection guide to document findings.
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What goes wrong
Stems can match the dispatch photographs yet arrive with bruised petals or bent side shoots after tight packing. Uneven bud maturity makes bunches difficult to use together; dehydration and interrupted cooling can leave stems limp. Agree rejection criteria and photograph condition before unpacking removes evidence of carton pressure or moisture.
Missing plant health documents can disrupt a perishable shipment. Medium risk A consignments selected for checks must be presented to the authorities on arrival. Confirm the document handover and inspection arrangements before dispatch, and arrange receiving staff who can inspect and condition the flowers promptly.
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 lisianthus from China?
The supplied tariff record lists an 8% base duty and a 0.00 % autonomous suspension under 0603 19 70 90. Confirm eligibility for the suspension; no anti-dumping or countervailing measure is recorded.
Do lisianthus flowers from China need a phytosanitary certificate?
Confirm the plant-health risk category for Chinese-origin lisianthus with the plant-health authority before dispatch. Medium-risk A goods require the exporter's phytosanitary certificate and pre-notification. Ask the authority to confirm importer registration, checks and applicable fees.
Do different lisianthus colours have different commodity codes?
The colour variants shown share 0603 19 70 90. Confirm the actual goods description, especially if importing mixed bouquets rather than separate lisianthus bunches.
What should I check when lisianthus arrives?
Check flower opening, petal bruising, crushed buds, broken branches, wilting, mould and bunch counts. Review transport records and trial rehydration and vase performance against the agreed specification.