Sourcing hydrogenated groundnut oil from China
Hydrogenated groundnut oil from China carries UK duty of 8% to 12%, depending on immediate packing size. For food use, refined and unrefined peanut oil must be labelled with reference to peanut. Specify the degree of hydrogenation and melting profile before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources hydrogenated groundnut oil.
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Duty on hydrogenated groundnut oil
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 1516 covers partly or wholly hydrogenated fats and oils and their fractions, whether refined or not, but not further prepared. Hydrogenated groundnut oil in immediate packs not exceeding 1 kg falls under 1516 20 91 00 at 12%; larger packs fall under 1516 20 96 00 at 8%. The table distinguishes full and partial hydrogenation within these same packing codes.
Neither relevant line lists anti-dumping or countervailing duty. The suspension under 1516 20 96 00 is restricted to specified hydrogenated and interesterified jojoba oil, so it does not reduce groundnut oil duty. Both lines attach organic-product and waste import controls. Organic importers must be based and certified in the UK; confirm consignment inspection-certificate requirements with the control body and customs broker. Waste shipment controls apply only to waste; ask your broker to confirm the attached control for your goods.
Give your broker the oil identity, processing history, complete composition and immediate packing weights, then confirm the commodity code. Added ingredients or further preparation need a fresh classification check. For wider coverage of the heading, see hydrogenated soybean oil.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fully hydrogenated groundnut oil, immediate packs not exceeding 1 kg | 1516 20 91 00 | 12% | None |
| Fully hydrogenated groundnut oil, immediate packs exceeding 1 kg | 1516 20 96 00 | 8% | None |
Specify hydrogenation and melting behaviour
Specify groundnut as the oil source, full or partial hydrogenation, refining and deodorisation, and whether any other oils or additives are present. Agree the intended food or technical use, melting range, solid fat profile and iodine value. For bakery use, trial the sample in your actual recipe to check firmness, mouthfeel and handling.
Agree batch acceptance criteria for acid value, peroxide value, moisture, impurities and trans-fat composition, alongside packing material, storage conditions and remaining shelf life. Ask for proposed label artwork and a batch-specific certificate of analysis before dispatch.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 20 tonnes of hydrogenated groundnut oil in bulk packs, illustrative only under 1516 20 96 00, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £32,500. Duty at 8% is £2,600. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £35,100, so it is £7,020. Import taxes total £9,620; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £2,600 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step. This assumes the goods are standard-rated for VAT. Most food for human consumption is zero-rated, and animal feed can be too, in which case no import VAT is due, so check the rate for your product in HMRC's VAT Notice 701/14.
Inspection checklist
Identity: compare the oil source, processing declaration and ingredient composition with the approved sample and purchase specification.
Performance: independently sample the batch and check melting behaviour, iodine value, solid fat profile and trans-fat composition against your agreed criteria.
Condition: check acid and peroxide values, moisture, colour and off-odours; compare dispatch samples with samples taken on arrival.
Packing and records: check seals, leaks, cleanliness, packing weights and batch references. Match the analysis certificate and label artwork to the shipment. Use the inspection guide to plan sampling.
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What goes wrong
A supplier substitutes another oil, supplies a different degree of hydrogenation or changes the melting profile between batches. The oil may pass a generic analysis yet make the finished product too hard, waxy or soft. Approve a production sample and compare each shipment with it.
Heat exposure, damaged seals and contaminated packing can leave the oil oxidised or tainted. A generic vegetable-oil label can also omit the peanut reference required for food use. Keep arrival samples and investigate discrepancies before using or releasing the batch.
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 hydrogenated groundnut oil from China?
The supplied tariff snapshot lists 12% under 1516 20 91 00 for immediate packs not exceeding 1 kg, and 8% under 1516 20 96 00 for larger packs.
Does the tariff suspension cover hydrogenated groundnut oil?
No. The suspension under 1516 20 96 00 covers specified hydrogenated and interesterified jojoba oil. Hydrogenated groundnut oil on that line carries 8%.
Does refined hydrogenated groundnut oil need peanut labelling?
For food use, both refined and unrefined peanut oil must be labelled with reference to peanut. Check the proposed artwork before shipment.
What should I test before accepting a batch?
Check identity, melting behaviour, solid fat profile, iodine value, trans-fat composition, acid value, peroxide value and moisture against the agreed specification; also inspect seals and odour.