Sourcing glass beer growlers from China
Glass beer growlers from China carry 0% ordinary UK duty under heading 7010. Containers below 2.5 litres also face provisional anti-dumping rates from 24.65% to 52.97%, depending on exporter and paperwork. Growlers used to package beer must be suitable for food use. Cambridge China Bridge sources glass beer growlers.
UK duty on glass beer growlers
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, the selected lines carried 0% ordinary duty for goods from China. Heading 7010 covers glass containers used to convey or pack goods, including growlers used to carry beer. Bottle classification depends on glass colour and nominal capacity. See the wider glass beverage bottle guide.
The selected bottle lines below 2.5 litres also show provisional anti-dumping duty of 52.97% for residual exporters and anti-dumping or countervailing registration. HMRC registers the goods covered by the notice. A guarantee is required during the provisional remedy. Confirm with HMRC or your customs broker whether a signed invoice declaration is needed to claim a lower exporter rate. The selected line for containers of 2.5 litres or more shows no trade remedy or attached control.
Confirm the commodity code using the actual growler, its nominal capacity, glass colour and packing purpose. Send the broker photographs, drawings and closure details before ordering. Ask them to confirm the exporter rate, invoice declaration, registration and guarantee arrangements.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colourless glass beverage bottles, at least 1 litre but below 2.5 litres | 7010 90 41 00 | 0% | 52.97% residual anti-dumping (provisional) |
| Coloured glass beverage bottles, at least 1 litre but below 2.5 litres | 7010 90 51 00 | 0% | 52.97% residual anti-dumping (provisional) |
| Colourless glass beverage bottles, above 0.33 litre but below 1 litre | 7010 90 43 00 | 0% | 52.97% residual anti-dumping (provisional) |
| Coloured glass beverage bottles, above 0.33 litre but below 1 litre | 7010 90 53 00 | 0% | 52.97% residual anti-dumping (provisional) |
| Glass packing containers with nominal capacity of 2.5 litres or more | 7010 90 31 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the growler, closure and refill use
Write down nominal and brim capacity, glass colour, body dimensions, neck finish, handle shape, empty weight and decoration position. Specify the complete closure, including cap or swing-top assembly, liner and gasket material. Keep an approved sample of the assembled growler, rather than approving the glass body and cap separately.
When using growlers to package beer, you must use packaging suitable for food use. Ask for material details and supporting suitability evidence covering the glass, closure and beer-contact surfaces. Agree with a testing provider how to assess the intended beer, contact conditions and repeated washing. Set pressure and thermal-change checks around the brewery's actual filling, storage and cleaning process.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 500 coloured glass beer growlers under 7010 90 51 00, invoiced at £2,400 free on board, with £1,404 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,804. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,804, so it is £760.80. With no duty, the only import tax is the VAT, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Glass and handle: check the rim, neck, base and handle joints for chips, cracks and sharp edges; compare colour, dimensions and capacity with the approved sample.
Closure and seal: fit production closures across sampled growlers; check thread engagement or swing-top alignment, gasket seating and leakage after filling.
Reuse and decoration: trial the agreed washing process; inspect printing adhesion, gasket condition and whether the neck and handle can be cleaned and drained.
Arrival and packing: open cartons from different positions; check dividers, handle protection, broken glass and abrasion. Record damage before moving stock into filling operations.
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What goes wrong
A cap can fit the sample but leak on production necks. A displaced gasket, uneven sealing rim or poorly aligned swing-top can leave filled growlers leaking. A water leak check alone does not establish suitability for carbonated beer; arrange the agreed pressure assessment with a testing provider.
Handles can knock against neighbouring bottles in transit, while decoration can rub against dividers or wash off during reuse. Approve packed samples and trial the brewery's washing process before releasing production. Keep damaged or suspect growlers separate while investigating the batch.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For own-brand ranges, see sourcing for brands.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on glass beer growlers from China?
Ordinary duty is 0%. The selected bottle lines below 2.5 litres also show 52.97% residual provisional anti-dumping duty. The selected line for containers of 2.5 litres or more shows no trade remedy.
What food-contact evidence should I request for beer growlers?
Request material details and suitability evidence for the glass, closure, liner and gasket under your intended beer-contact and washing conditions. Packaging used for beer must be suitable for food use.
How do I check whether a glass growler can hold carbonated beer?
Agree pressure testing with a testing provider using the intended filling and storage conditions. Assess the assembled growler and closure. A water leak check alone does not establish pressure suitability.
What should I inspect when glass growlers arrive?
Check carton damage, glass chips and cracks, handle joints, closure fit and gasket seating. Compare capacity and decoration with the approved sample, then trial the agreed washing process.