Sourcing frozen razor clams from China
The supplied frozen-clam line carries 10% UK duty, but confirm with APHA whether Chinese frozen razor clams are approved for import into Great Britain for human consumption before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge checks whether a product can be imported before any order is placed.
Buying from China for a business? How our UK China sourcing agent service works · China sourcing agent for small orders and first imports
10% tariff duty, but no GB food import route
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, frozen clams under 0307 72 90 00 carried 10% duty for goods from China, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension. Heading 0307 covers molluscs in shell or otherwise. The table shows raw frozen razor-clam forms sharing the supplied frozen-clam line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.
Confirm with APHA whether Chinese frozen razor clams can be imported into Great Britain for human consumption. Official guidance prohibits imports from unapproved countries, but the supplied evidence does not establish China's status on the relevant approved-country list for frozen bivalve molluscs. A tariff rate does not establish an admissible food import route.
The tariff attaches veterinary, illegal fishing, organic and CITES import controls, plus a CITES export control. Until APHA confirms country approval for the product, do not treat these as a clearance checklist for a Chinese shipment. Ask your customs broker to confirm the attached requirements for the exact species and destination. Confirm the commodity code from species, presentation and processing. See the wider frozen clam meat guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frozen raw razor clams, whole in shell | 0307 72 90 00 | 10% | None |
Specify species, shell form and edible weight
For an overseas destination whose import route has been independently confirmed, specify the scientific species name, harvesting origin, farmed or wild status, raw presentation, shell length grade and freezing method. Distinguish whole shell-on clams, half-shell packs and shucked meat. Record the cleaning process, permitted contractual treatments, glaze allowance and drained edible weight.
Agree a sample assessment that includes thawing and cooking. Check whether sand remains inside the meat, whether shell fragments enter shucked packs and whether the cooked texture suits the intended dish. These quality checks do not establish permission to import Chinese razor clams into Great Britain.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative only: 2 tonnes of frozen raw razor clams; not an admissible GB order under 0307 72 90 00, 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 origin: match the scientific species name and harvesting origin across supplier records, carton marks and the agreed specification.
Grit and shell: thaw representative samples, examine meat for sand and shell fragments, and compare shell damage with the approved sample.
Glaze and weight: deglaze and drain samples using the agreed method, then compare edible weight and size distribution with the contract.
Frozen condition: review transport temperature records and inspect for thawing, refreezing, freezer burn, damaged seals and excessive loose ice.
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What goes wrong
The first failure is ordering Chinese razor clams for the GB food market on the strength of a tariff code or a supplier's seafood export credentials. Approval for one seafood category does not establish approval for bivalve molluscs. Resolve admissibility before paying a deposit or arranging shipment.
Product disputes concern retained sand, broken shells, meat fragments, excessive glaze and inconsistent edible yield. A clean-looking shell does not show whether the meat contains grit. Assess thawed and cooked samples, and record the agreed acceptance method before production.
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 razor clams from China?
The supplied line 0307 72 90 00 carries 10%, with no recorded trade remedy or suspension. Confirm with APHA whether Chinese frozen razor clams are approved for import into Great Britain for human consumption before ordering.
Can I import Chinese frozen razor clams into Great Britain?
Confirm with APHA before ordering for human consumption. The supplied evidence does not establish China's status on the approved-country list for frozen bivalve molluscs. The existence of a tariff code and duty rate does not establish permission.
How do I check glaze on frozen razor clams?
Agree a deglazing and draining method before ordering. Compare the resulting edible weight with the contract, keeping shell weight separate when comparing shell-on clams with meat.
How do I check razor clams for sand?
Thaw representative samples and examine the meat, not just the shell surface. Cook samples using the intended kitchen method and assess grit and texture against the approved sample.