Sourcing frozen broad beans from China
Frozen broad beans from China carry 14% UK import duty, with no listed anti-dumping duty or suspension. Confirm the applicable GB pesticide residue limits with the relevant food authority; organic consignments need a certificate of inspection. Specify skin removal, tenderness and the cold chain before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources frozen broad beans.
Frozen broad beans: 14% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, frozen broad beans fall within heading 0710 for vegetables uncooked or cooked by steaming or boiling in water, then frozen. The relevant line is 0710 29 00 00, other leguminous vegetables, shelled or unshelled. The comparison rows distinguish broad beans from peas and green beans; vegetable blends have a separate mixtures line.
The supplied tariff facts show 14% duty for broad beans from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension. The tariff attaches import control of organic products. Organic consignments from China need a certificate of inspection; confirm the paperwork with your customs broker before dispatch. Confirm the VAT treatment of frozen vegetables sold as food with HMRC or your customs broker.
Confirm the species, processing and whether the shipment contains only broad beans using finding your commodity code. For other products within the heading, see sourcing frozen vegetables.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frozen broad beans and other leguminous vegetables | 0710 29 00 00 | 14% | None |
| Frozen vegetable mixtures, including blends containing broad beans | 0710 90 00 00 | 14% | None |
| Frozen peas, for comparison with broad beans | 0710 21 00 00 | 14% | None |
| Frozen green, wax and string beans, for comparison with broad beans | 0710 22 00 20 | 14% | None |
Specify the bean and its skin
Distinguish removal of the pod from removal of the skin around each bean. Specify shelled beans with skins retained or peeled kernels, the size grade, colour, maturity and acceptable broken or split beans. Approve a cooked sample for tenderness and skin toughness using the cooking method your customers will use.
Agree individually frozen or block-frozen presentation, blanching treatment, pack weight, inner bags and remaining shelf life on arrival. Set the cold-chain target at -18°C or colder and agree temperature records from loading to delivery. Ask for a lot-linked pesticide residue report against GB maximum residue levels. Confirm food-business registration requirements with the relevant local authority.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order, not a quotation: 5 tonnes of shelled frozen broad beans under 0710 29 00 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 14% is £3,010. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £24,510, so it is £4,902. Import taxes total £7,912; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £3,010 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
Bean quality: compare size, colour, retained skins and broken kernels with the approved sample; cook a sample to check tenderness and tough skins.
Cold chain: check arrival core temperature against the agreed -18°C or colder target, review temperature records and record clumping, loose ice and freezer burn.
Weight and sorting: check net contents excluding ice or glaze, bag seals and carton condition; look for pod fragments, stones and plastic.
Reports and labels: match carton lot codes to residue reports. Check English labels for the food name, net weight, storage instructions and UK address, plus ingredients and allergens where applicable. Use the quality inspection guide to brief the inspector.
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What goes wrong
An order described only as shelled can arrive with tough skins when the buyer expected peeled kernels. Mixed maturity gives uneven cooking, while broken kernels change the appearance of plated dishes. Define these points in the specification and compare production samples with the approved cooked sample.
Fused clumps, excess ice and freezer burn warrant investigation of storage and transport records. Photograph affected cartons and keep samples linked to their lot codes. A residue report for a different lot gives no assurance about the beans delivered; resolve that mismatch before accepting the batch.
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 frozen broad beans from China?
The supplied tariff facts show 14% under 0710 29 00 00, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension.
Are shelled broad beans the same as peeled broad beans?
No. Shelled means the pod is removed; peeled means the skin around the bean is also removed. Specify both the pod and skin treatment and approve a cooked sample.
What paperwork do organic frozen broad beans need?
Organic consignments from China need a certificate of inspection. Confirm the import paperwork with your customs broker before dispatch.
What should I check when frozen broad beans arrive?
Check core temperature, temperature records, clumping, ice, net weight, skin treatment and cooked tenderness. Match the carton lot codes to the pesticide residue report.