Sourcing hormones and steroids from China
Hormones, steroids and prostaglandins from China, including corticosteroids such as prednisolone, insulin, oestrogens and progestogens, pay 0% UK duty on all 9 lines, with no anti-dumping duty. Active substances for human medicines need MHRA-registered importers and GMP, and anabolic steroids and some other hormones are controlled drugs needing Home Office licensing.
Corticosteroids, insulin, progestogens, oestrogens and prostaglandins as active substances from China pay 0% UK duty. MHRA and controlled drug rules explained.
0% on every line
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, heading 2937 covers hormones, prostaglandins, thromboxanes and leukotrienes, natural or reproduced by synthesis, and their derivatives and structural analogues. All 9 lines carried 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure: somatotropin, insulin and its salts, other polypeptide hormones, cortisone, hydrocortisone, prednisone and prednisolone, halogenated corticosteroids, oestrogens and progestogens, other steroidal hormones, prostaglandins and others.
Medicines made up in measured doses are heading 3004, and bulk medicament mixtures 3003 (see our bulk medicaments guide); confirm the commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insulin and its salts | 2937 12 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Cortisone, hydrocortisone, prednisone and prednisolone | 2937 21 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Halogenated corticosteroids | 2937 22 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Oestrogens and progestogens | 2937 23 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other steroidal hormones | 2937 29 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Prostaglandins and analogues | 2937 50 00 00 | 0% | None |
Medicines and controlled drugs
Active substances for human medicines are regulated under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012: importers must be registered with the MHRA and the substance must be made to good manufacturing practice, with the documents the medicine's manufacturer needs.
Anabolic steroids and some other hormones are controlled drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001, so commercial imports need a Home Office licence; check each substance against the schedules before ordering.
Specifying hormone active substances
Specify the substance and pharmacopoeial monograph, assay, related substances, residual solvents, particle size or micronisation, polymorph where relevant, packing and storage conditions, retest date, GMP certificate and the documents for the medicine's regulatory file.
Worked duty example
Suppose, purely for illustration, you import 25 kg of prednisolone active substance under 2937 21 00 00. At £40,000 free on board and £800 to ship and insure, the customs value is £40,800. With 0% duty on prednisolone, the only charge is import VAT: 20% of £40,800, or £8,160. VAT-registered businesses usually recover that in their next return. The method is set out in how UK import duty and VAT work.
Inspection checklist
Documents: check the GMP certificate, certificate of analysis against the monograph, and any controlled drug licence the substance needs.
Laboratory: test identity, assay, related substances and residual solvents on an independent sample.
Handling: check sealed, labelled packing, containment for potent substances, and temperature control where required.
What goes wrong
Hormone orders fail on regulation, potency and documents. Importers bring in controlled substances without a Home Office licence, producers lack GMP evidence, impurity profiles differ from the reference, and potent substances are packed without adequate containment.
Check the controlled drug schedules and MHRA route first, and test independently. See our quality inspection guide.
Cambridge China Bridge sources hormone active substances for licensed UK manufacturers, checking the producer's GMP and documentation first. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on prednisolone from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, prednisolone (2937 21 00 00) carried 0% from China.
Are anabolic steroids controlled?
Yes. They are controlled drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, so commercial imports need a Home Office licence.
Do API importers need MHRA registration?
Yes. Importers of active substances for human medicines must be registered with the MHRA.
Is insulin in the same heading?
Yes. Insulin and its salts are 2937 12 00 00, at 0%.