Sourcing guar gum from China
Guar gum from China carries 0% UK import duty, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty shown. For food-grade material, confirm applicable food additive purity requirements with the relevant food authority; organic consignments need separate import checks. Agree viscosity testing and batch evidence before buying. Cambridge China Bridge sources guar gum.
Guar gum duty and organic import controls
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, guar seed mucilages and thickeners, whether or not modified, fall under 1302 32 90 00 within heading 1302. The supplied tariff file contains only this commodity line specifically for guar gum.
Goods from China carry 0% duty. No anti-dumping duty, countervailing duty or suspension is shown. The tariff attaches an organic-products import control. For organic food imported from China into Great Britain, obtain a certificate of inspection for each consignment and check that the exporter's control body and country of export are on the non-UK organic registers.
Confirm the composition and processing against the commodity code guide. Blends need a separate classification check. For another thickener within the wider heading, see konjac glucomannan.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guar gum and other guar seed thickeners | 1302 32 90 00 | 0% | None |
Specify guar gum by viscosity and intended use
State whether the powder is for food or technical use, whether it is modified, and whether it contains carriers or other gums. For food use, confirm the additive authorisation and applicable purity criteria with the relevant food authority. Request the specification and a certificate of analysis tied to the shipment batch.
Agree viscosity together with the preparation method, concentration, water temperature, hydration time and measuring method. Specify particle size, moisture, colour and acceptable insoluble matter. Trial the sample in your actual recipe or process, rather than accepting a viscosity result without its test conditions.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2 tonnes of guar gum powder under 1302 32 90 00, invoiced at £16,000 free on board, with £1,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £17,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £17,000, so it is £3,400. 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
Identity: compare the batch description, composition and retained sample with the approved guar gum specification.
Performance: repeat the agreed hydration and viscosity test; check dispersibility, lumps and insoluble matter.
Batch evidence: match the analysis certificate to the lot and review food-grade microbiology, heavy metals and pesticide testing, including ethylene oxide.
Packing: check liners, seals, batch markings and signs of moisture ingress; separate damaged bags before sampling.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A viscosity figure without test conditions makes supplier comparisons unreliable. Powder may perform differently after changes in hydration, temperature or mixing. Blending with other material can also undermine the approved specification. Keep an approved sample and compare incoming batches using the same method.
Food-grade gums can fail contaminant or microbiological tests. Wet bags can leave powder caked and difficult to disperse. An organic claim also needs import paperwork, rather than only a supplier's certificate. Agree laboratory testing before releasing stock for use.
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 guar gum from China?
The supplied tariff snapshot shows 0% duty for 1302 32 90 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension.
What should I specify when buying guar gum?
Specify intended use, modification and composition, viscosity with its test conditions, particle size, moisture and batch analysis. Trial it in your own process.
Can I import organic guar gum from China?
For organic food entering Great Britain, obtain a certificate of inspection for each consignment and check the exporter’s control body and country against the non-UK organic registers.
How do I check food-grade guar gum?
Check the applicable additive purity criteria, obtain batch analysis and agree laboratory checks for identity, microbiology, heavy metals and pesticide residues.