Sourcing hydrolysed wheat protein from China

Duty on hydrolysed wheat protein

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 November 2026, heading 3504 covers peptones and their derivatives and other protein substances and derivatives not elsewhere specified or included. Plain hydrolysed wheat protein is a candidate for 3504 00 90 99, subject to the composition and broker's classification. The table shows presentations under the same tariff line, rather than separate commodity lines. See the wider protein guide.

The supplied tariff record gives 2% duty for Chinese-origin goods under this line and lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Its suspension applies only to zein, not wheat protein. The UK Trade Tariff attaches veterinary control and organic import control. Ask your broker to confirm the veterinary-control requirement against the complete formulation, using the wider guide as background. For organic food imported from China, confirm the applicable certificate of inspection requirements with your control body and broker.

Send the broker the wheat source, hydrolysis process, full composition, physical form and intended use before confirming the commodity code. Added carriers, flavourings or other ingredients can change the classification. This guide focuses on food ingredients; do not use its food checks as acceptance criteria for a cosmetic formulation.

Specify the hydrolysate, not just protein content

Specify the wheat starting material, enzymatic or acid hydrolysis, protein assay method and nitrogen conversion factor, peptide profile, free amino acids, moisture or solids, ash, salt, acidity, colour and odour. Request the full composition, including carriers and processing aids. Agree acceptance criteria for solubility and flavour in your actual food formulation.

For food use, the ingredient must meet general food safety requirements. Wheat-derived ingredients must be named and emphasised in the ingredients list. Ask the supplier for a wheat allergen statement and information on shared production lines. Agree batch testing for microbiology and relevant contaminants with your laboratory rather than accepting a generic protein certificate.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative pilot order: 100 kg of hydrolysed wheat protein powder under 3504 00 90 99, invoiced at £2,000 free on board, with £860 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,860. Duty at 2% is £57.20. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,917.20, so it is £583.44. Import taxes total £640.64; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £57.20 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: match the batch number, wheat source, hydrolysis method and complete composition to the approved specification and certificate of analysis.

Assay: compare protein, moisture or solids, ash, salt and peptide results using the agreed methods; retain a sealed sample from the delivered batch.

Function: test dissolution, sediment, colour, odour and bitterness in the intended formulation against the approved sample.

Packing: check seals, moisture damage, caking or liquid leakage, batch identification and storage instructions. Use testing and certification support to arrange the agreed laboratory checks.

What goes wrong

A matching protein result can conceal a different hydrolysis profile. The delivered ingredient may dissolve poorly, taste more bitter or introduce more salt than the approved sample. Liquid supplied at a different solids content can also change the formulation. Compare the production batch in the finished recipe before accepting it.

Documents may describe the material merely as plant protein, leaving the wheat origin unclear. Hydrolysis alone is not a reason to omit wheat allergen information. Another error is claiming the zein suspension for wheat protein. Resolve composition, labelling and customs questions before dispatch.

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.