Sourcing fresh shallots from China

Duty on fresh shallots

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 20 October 2026, fresh or chilled shallots under 0703 10 90 00 carry 8% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension for this line. The table shows pack formats sharing the same commodity code.

The tariff attaches an organic import control. Organic shallots from China imported into Great Britain need a certificate of inspection for each consignment. Check that the exporter's control body and country of export appear on the non-UK organic registers. The exporter’s control body issues the certificate.

Heading 0703 covers fresh or chilled onions, shallots, garlic, leeks and other alliaceous vegetables. Confirm the product identity and condition using finding your commodity code. For the other products, see garlic and onions from China.

Specify shallot bulbs and packing

Specify shallots for eating, the variety, skin colour, bulb shape and diameter band. Agree whether connected bulbs are acceptable, how much loose skin is allowed, and the rejection criteria for soft bulbs, sprouting, mould and damaged necks. Use an approved sample to make the grade clear.

Agree net weight, mesh bags or ventilated cartons, lot identification and transport conditions with the packer. Confirm applicable GB pesticide maximum residue levels with the relevant food safety authority; request a test report covering the shipped lot. Confirm with the relevant authority or customs broker which plant health and marketing rules apply, along with the applicable documents and any required pre-notification before dispatch.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 20 tonnes of fresh shallots for a wholesaler, illustrative only under 0703 10 90 00, invoiced at £18,000 free on board, with £3,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £21,500. Duty at 8% is £1,720. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £23,220, so it is £4,644. Import taxes total £6,364; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,720 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step. This assumes the goods are standard-rated for VAT. Most food for human consumption is zero-rated, and animal feed can be too, in which case no import VAT is due, so check the rate for your product in HMRC's VAT Notice 701/14.

Inspection checklist

Identity and grade: check that the goods are shallots and compare bulb shape, colour and size distribution with the approved sample.

Condition: open packs from different positions and check firmness, neck dryness, sprouting, mould, insect damage and hidden soft rot.

Packing and weight: check ventilation, crushed cartons, moisture, net weight and matching lot marks on inner and outer packs.

Reports and arrival: match the residue report to the shipped lot and inspect arrival condition before accepting stock. Use a written brief for quality inspection.

What goes wrong

A sample can hide mixed bulb sizes or ordinary onions substituted for shallots. Damp packing, damaged necks and poor ventilation can leave apparently sound bulbs with rot inside. Record defects by lot on arrival and photograph opened packs as well as the outside of the shipment.

An organic claim on a supplier's invoice does not replace the consignment certificate. Settle documents before dispatch and keep the agreed grade attached to the order. For the illustrative order, follow the calculation method in UK import duty and VAT; confirm the VAT treatment of vegetables sold as food with HMRC or your customs broker.

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.