Sourcing hide powder from China

Hide powder duty and import controls

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 November 2026, heading 3504 covers peptones, other protein substances and their derivatives, and hide powder whether or not chromed. Hide powder falls within the residual line 3504 00 90 99. The table shows purchasing descriptions sharing that code, rather than separate tariff subdivisions. See the microbiological peptones guide for the wider heading.

The supplied tariff facts show 2% duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty listed. The suspension on this line applies to zein, not hide powder. The tariff attaches veterinary control and import control of organic products. Ask your customs broker to confirm how both controls apply to your Chinese shipment, including any documentation or exemption, before dispatch.

Give the broker the animal species, manufacturing process, chromium treatment, composition and intended use to confirm the commodity code. Where an animal-product import has an import information note, its conditions must be followed. For research samples without an appropriate general import authorisation, a specific authorisation must be obtained from APHA. Do not assume a laboratory description establishes eligibility.

Specify the hide source and analytical performance

State whether the powder is chromed or unchromed, its animal source and the analytical method you intend to use. Agree particle size, moisture, ash, extractable matter and tannin-binding performance against an approved sample. For chromed powder, specify chromium content and the test method rather than accepting colour as proof of treatment.

Request a batch certificate of analysis, processing description and retained sample. Agree sealed moisture-resistant packaging, batch identification and storage instructions. Assess chemical classification before supplying the product in Great Britain: the chemical classification, labelling and packaging rules apply to importers supplying substances and mixtures.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of sealed laboratory packs of chromed hide powder under 3504 00 90 99, invoiced at £2,000 free on board, with £100 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,100. Duty at 2% is £42. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,142, so it is £428.40. Import taxes total £470.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £42 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: match the animal source, chromed status, batch and processing description to the purchase specification.

Performance: compare tannin binding and extractable matter with the approved sample using the agreed analytical method.

Condition: check moisture, clumping, foreign material and particle size; investigate differences from the retained sample.

Packaging: check seals, moisture damage, batch identification and correspondence between the containers and analysis certificate.

What goes wrong

A supplier substitutes unchromed powder for chromed material, or supplies a batch whose moisture and extractable matter change the analytical result. A certificate showing only protein content does not demonstrate suitability for your tannin assay. Approve the powder through your own method before accepting production stock.

Another failure is treating commercial laboratory stock as a research sample without checking the import route. Official guidance prohibits subsequent use of research and diagnostic samples for other purposes. Resolve the proposed use and import documentation before shipment; use factory verification to check the supplier's processing and batch records.

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.