Sourcing frozen pollock roe from China
Frozen pollock roe for processing carries 10% UK duty on the supplied roe line, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. Imports into Great Britain need an approved establishment, health certification and border checks; confirm advance-notification arrangements with the relevant port health authority or customs broker. Cambridge China Bridge sources frozen pollock roe.
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10% duty on hard roes for processing
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, hard fish roes for processing under 0303 91 90 96 carried 10% duty for goods from China. No anti-dumping duty, countervailing duty or suspension is recorded for this line. The table shows buying forms using that same supplied tariff line. Heading 0303 covers frozen fish and edible fish offal; see the frozen whole pollock guide for the wider product.
The roe line carries veterinary control, including a Common Health Entry Document for products of animal origin. For imports into Great Britain, check country and establishment approval, arrange the health certificate, and use a designated border control post. Confirm advance-notification arrangements through IPAFFS with the relevant port health authority or customs broker. Match the approved plant details to the shipment before loading. Our factory verification service explains supplier checks.
The line also attaches CITES import and export controls and an organic import control. Check the species: CITES-listed specimens need permits for movement into or out of Great Britain. Organic imports from China need a Great Britain certificate of inspection for each consignment and checks against the organic registers. Confirm the commodity code from the species, preparation and processing use; ask your customs broker to confirm the attached controls.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frozen hard pollock roes for processing, intact sacs | 0303 91 90 96 | 10% | None |
Specify roe sacs, maturity and processing use
State the pollock species and scientific name, raw frozen condition, intended processing and whether you want intact sacs or broken roe. Agree maturity, sac size, colour, firmness, acceptable membrane damage and foreign-matter limits against an approved sample. Specify block freezing or individual freezing, pack format, glaze and net product weight.
Ask for the catch origin and the Chinese processing establishment details separately. Record any salt, colouring or other treatment, and say whether the product will be cooked or undergo another process before consumption. Do not treat raw frozen roe as ready to eat merely because a sample looks suitable.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2 tonnes of frozen hard pollock roes for processing under 0303 91 90 96, invoiced at £16,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £17,500. Duty at 10% is £1,750. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £19,250, so it is £3,850. Import taxes total £5,600; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,750 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 documents: match species, batch references, plant approval details, carton marks and health certification. Ask the broker to check catch-document applicability for the exact roe product.
Roe condition: thaw representative samples under controlled conditions and compare sac integrity, maturity, colour and firmness with the approved sample. Check for blood clots, foreign matter, freezer burn and excessive liquid loss.
Weight and cold chain: measure product weight after removing glaze using the agreed method. Review loading and journey temperature records, measure arrival temperature against the agreed storage specification, and photograph damaged or leaking packs.
Labels and food information: check product identity, storage instructions and allergen information. Food allergen information must also cover substances derived from allergens or used in processing. Check the supplied ingredient and treatment information against the actual product.
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What goes wrong
A sample can contain firm, intact sacs while the shipment contains immature, ruptured or mixed-grade roe. Heavy glaze reduces usable yield, and thawing followed by refreezing can leave soft roe and damaged membranes. Agree a sampling method and assess thawed condition as well as frozen appearance.
An invoice describing only frozen fish can hide the roe specification and processing use. Resolve mismatched plant details and certificates before dispatch, and keep suspect arrival stock separate while its condition is assessed. Use the quality inspection guide to prepare a written inspection brief.
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 pollock roe from China?
The supplied hard-roes-for-processing line, 0303 91 90 96, carries 10% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. Confirm that your product meets that description.
What documents do I need to import frozen pollock roe?
For Great Britain, arrange approved-establishment checks, health certification and entry through a designated border control post. Ask your broker to confirm IPAFFS notification arrangements, the tariff controls and catch-document applicability.
How do I check the quality of frozen pollock roe?
Compare thawed samples with the approved grade for maturity, firmness, colour and intact sacs. Check deglazed product weight, liquid loss, foreign matter, packaging and temperature records.
Can I import frozen pollock roe labelled organic?
Organic imports from China need a Great Britain certificate of inspection for each consignment. Check the exporter’s control body and country against the organic registers, and confirm the arrangements with your organic control body.