Sourcing horns and antlers from China
Heading 0507 carries 0% UK duty across the supplied lines from China. Import eligibility depends on species, preparation and use: veterinary and CITES controls apply, while listed-species ivory needs an exemption for commercial dealing. Confirm the route before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources horns and antlers.
Zero duty, with species and veterinary controls
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, heading 0507 covers ivory, tortoiseshell, whalebone and whalebone hair, horns, antlers, hooves, nails, claws and beaks, unworked or simply prepared but not cut to shape, plus their powder and waste. Both supplied codes carry 0% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. The table separates goods sharing the other-materials code; these are not additional tariff lines.
The tariff attaches veterinary, CITES import and seal-product controls to both codes, plus an ivory import control to the ivory code. For qualifying non-feed horns and hooves, official guidance permits imports from any country, subject to its conditions, including an approved establishment, stamped commercial document and importer declaration. Ask your broker to confirm the veterinary documents and entry arrangements for the precise Chinese product, especially antlers, powders and other materials outside that guidance's scope.
Listed-species ivory cannot be commercially dealt in without an exemption. Seal products for trade require the traditional indigenous-hunt exemption and supporting attestation. Ask the Animal and Plant Health Agency to confirm any CITES permit requirements for the species and material. Settle species identification and destination-specific requirements before ordering. Confirm the commodity code using the scientific species name, preparation, intended use and photographs. The tariff also lists export controls; ask your broker to assess these separately if planning onward export.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ivory, including ivory powder and waste | 0507 10 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Horns, unworked or simply prepared, not cut to shape | 0507 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify species, usable material and preparation
For horns and antlers, name the animal species and source, and distinguish whole material from fragments, powder and shaped blanks. State whether the order is for craft processing, display or another use. Do not accept a mixed-species description without an itemised packing list.
Agree length grading, curvature, wall thickness or solid usable area, colour variation, acceptable cracks and residual tissue against retained samples. Ask how material was cleaned, dried, bleached or coated. For powder, agree particle grading and foreign-matter checks. Use factory verification to establish who actually processes and packs the material.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Cartons of dried, uncut cattle horns for craft processing; illustrative order under 0507 90 00 00, invoiced at £1,500 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,400. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,400, so it is £480. 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 species description, source records, invoice, packing list and actual material; isolate unexpected species for review.
Condition: inspect cavities and bases for residual tissue, damp, odour, mould, insect damage and concealed splits.
Usable yield: compare curvature, thickness, intact tips and cracks with the approved sample; check below the top layer of each sampled carton.
Packing: check cushioning, dryness, carton condition and batch identity; photograph breakage before repacking. Plan checks with the inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
A polished sample can conceal a cracked base, thin walls or residual tissue in the bulk shipment. Mixed species, undisclosed bleaching and loose packing can leave the buyer with less usable material than expected. Inspect the packed batch against the specification, rather than judging only the display sample.
A zero-duty code does not establish import permission. A supplier's description of material as natural, antique or cleaned does not settle the applicable exemption or veterinary route. Confirm the species and documents before committing to production, and keep unexpected material separate pending review.
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 horns and antlers from China?
Both supplied codes in heading 0507 carry 0% duty for goods from China. The record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. Import controls still need checking.
Can I import cattle horns from China?
Qualifying non-feed horns may come from any country under the official route, subject to its conditions. Confirm establishment approval, the stamped commercial document and importer declaration before shipping.
Can I buy ivory from China for resale?
Ivory from listed species needs an exemption for commercial dealing, including importing for sale. Do not treat the zero-duty ivory code as permission to buy stock for resale.
What should I check when antlers arrive?
Compare species and batch records with the material. Check cracks, intact tips, usable dimensions, damp, odour, residual tissue and packing damage against the retained sample.