Sourcing Hydroxylated Lanolin from China
Hydroxylated lanolin from China carries 0% UK duty if classified under the supplied lanolin-derivatives line. Veterinary controls apply, and processed material for cosmetic manufacture may follow the intermediate-product requirements. Confirm the processing and intended use before shipping. Cambridge China Bridge sources hydroxylated lanolin.
Buying from China for a business? How our UK China sourcing agent service works · China sourcing agent for small orders and first imports
Zero duty, with animal-product controls
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, heading 1505 covers wool grease and fatty substances derived from it, including lanolin. For hydroxylated lanolin, the relevant supplied line is 1505 00 90 00, subject to confirmation of its composition. It carries 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension recorded.
The tariff attaches veterinary control and waste import and export controls. Animal by-product imports into Great Britain require notification through IPAFFS and entry through an approved border control post. Waste shipment controls apply only when the material is waste. For notified waste entering England, shipment must await consent from the Environment Agency and other authorities involved. Ask your customs broker to confirm applicability to the Chinese consignment.
Give your broker the composition, processing description and intended use to confirm the commodity code. The supplied tariff has only one line relevant to this product. For related derivatives within the wider heading, see our acetylated lanolin guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydroxylated lanolin, subject to confirmation of composition | 1505 00 90 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the hydroxylated derivative
Specify hydroxylated lanolin by its ingredient identity, composition and processing description. Ask whether it is supplied neat or blended, and identify any carrier or additive. Agree a hydroxyl value specification and test method, alongside acid value, peroxide value, moisture, colour and odour. Obtain a batch certificate of analysis and trial a sample in your own formulation.
For processed wool-grease derivatives intended for cosmetic manufacture that need only mixing, coating, assembling or packaging, APHA directs buyers to the intermediate-product requirements. These include an establishment approved to export to Great Britain and an importer-signed model declaration for imports from China. Have your broker confirm that this route fits the actual material before ordering.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 4 tonnes of hydroxylated lanolin in drums under 1505 00 90 00, invoiced at £36,000 free on board, with £1,400 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £37,400. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £37,400, so it is £7,480. 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. 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: match the drum description, batch certificate and purchase specification to hydroxylated lanolin; check declared carriers and additives.
Batch results: compare hydroxyl value, acid value, peroxide value and moisture with the agreed limits and methods.
Formulation: compare colour, odour, texture and performance in your formulation with the approved sample.
Packing and documents: check seals, leaks, batch markings and consistency between the consignment documents and delivered drums.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A supplier offers ordinary lanolin or a different derivative against a vague specification, or supplies a blend without identifying its carrier. The resulting material may behave differently in the formulation. Avoid accepting a certificate that reports general lanolin tests but does not address the agreed hydroxylated product specification.
Oxidation, moisture or damaged drums can undermine an otherwise acceptable batch. Import paperwork can also follow the wrong route when the buyer describes only the trade name. Send the processing description and intended cosmetic use to your broker before dispatch, and retain a sample for comparison on arrival.
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 hydroxylated lanolin from China?
The supplied tariff records 0% under 1505 00 90 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure. Confirm the composition and classification; veterinary controls also appear.
What documents does hydroxylated lanolin need?
The route depends on processing and use. Qualifying cosmetic intermediate products from China need an importer-signed model declaration and an approved exporting establishment. Confirm notification and border arrangements with your broker.
How do I check hydroxylated lanolin quality?
Agree identity, composition, hydroxyl value and its test method, then check acid value, peroxide value, moisture, colour and odour. Trial the batch in your formulation rather than accepting a general lanolin certificate.
Does importing the ingredient approve my finished cosmetic?
Confirm the finished cosmetic’s safety-assessment and ingredient-labelling requirements with the relevant authority. Match the supplied derivative and composition to the information used for that assessment.