Sourcing Gram stain reagent kits from China
Gram stain reagent kits from China under heading 3822 carry 0% UK duty across the supplied tariff lines, with no anti-dumping duty. For kits intended for human diagnosis, confirm applicable UKCA or CE marking, MHRA registration and the overseas manufacturer's UK Responsible Person arrangements with MHRA before sale in Great Britain. Cambridge China Bridge sources Gram stain reagent kits.
Zero duty on prepared Gram stain kits
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 3822 covers prepared diagnostic and laboratory reagents, including kits, and certified reference materials. Prepared Gram stain kits should be checked against 3822 19 00 90. The table shows product variants sharing that candidate line, rather than separate tariff categories.
All supplied lines carry 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures or suspensions recorded. No import controls are attached to 3822 19 00 90 in the supplied extract. The separate residual line 3822 90 00 00 has veterinary control and an ozone-depleting-substance restriction. If that line is proposed, ask your customs broker to confirm the requirements for the actual composition; confirm any ozone-depleting-substance import licensing requirements and permitted uses with the relevant regulator.
Confirm the formulation, presentation and intended use through finding your commodity code. Do not choose a disease-specific line simply because the kit stains bacteria. See the wider diagnostic and laboratory reagents guide for the rest of the heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prepared Gram stain kits for manual staining | 3822 19 00 90 | 0% | None |
Specify the staining system and intended use
Specify crystal violet, iodine mordant, decolouriser and counterstain by formulation, solvent and concentration. Agree bottle volumes, closures, dispensing method and whether the kit is for manual use or a named staining instrument. Ask for the staining procedure, batch certificate, storage conditions and evidence supporting unopened and opened shelf life.
Set acceptance criteria using known Gram-positive and Gram-negative control material: colour separation, background staining and precipitate. For human diagnostic use, confirm the applicable UKCA or CE marking, MHRA registration and the overseas manufacturer's UK Responsible Person arrangements with MHRA before sale in Great Britain. For research-only kits, confirm the applicable labelling and marketing requirements with MHRA. Chemical mixtures must be correctly labelled and packaged before being placed on the market.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 500 Gram stain reagent kits, illustrative only under 3822 19 00 90, invoiced at £5,000 free on board, with £300 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £5,300. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £5,300, so it is £1,060. 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
Contents: match each reagent name, formulation and bottle volume to the approved component list; check that no component has been substituted.
Performance: stain agreed control material using the supplied procedure; compare colour separation, background and deposits with the approved sample.
Bottles: check seals, leaks, cap compatibility, dispenser function and visible sediment against the agreed specification.
Documents: match batch identifiers, expiry dates, storage instructions and certificates to the shipment; request safety data sheets for the supplied formulations and verify diagnostic compliance documents where relevant.
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What goes wrong
An altered decolouriser or counterstain can change results even when the kit name stays the same. Excessive decolourisation, weak staining, precipitate and inconsistent dispensing can also arise from the procedure or equipment. Compare the suspect batch with the approved sample under the same conditions before accepting a replacement formulation.
Leaking closures and solvent loss can leave apparently complete kits with changed reagent performance. Agree transport conditions and remaining shelf life before dispatch. Use the inspection guide to set checks, and keep research-only claims consistent across labels, instructions and sales material.
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 Gram stain kits from China?
The supplied tariff extract shows 0% duty throughout heading 3822, including 3822 19 00 90, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures. Confirm the code for your kit.
Do Gram stain kits need UKCA or CE marking?
For kits intended for human diagnosis, confirm applicable UKCA or CE marking and MHRA registration requirements with MHRA before sale in Great Britain. Also confirm the overseas manufacturer's UK Responsible Person arrangements.
Can I sell research-only Gram stain kits for diagnosis?
For research-only reagents, confirm the applicable labelling, sales and diagnostic marketing-claim requirements with MHRA. Settle the intended use before approving labels and sales material.
How do I check a Gram stain reagent batch?
Use agreed Gram-positive and Gram-negative control material with the supplied procedure. Check colour separation, background, precipitate, dispensing and leaks against the approved sample.