Sourcing L-alanine from China
The relevant L-alanine family lines carry 0% UK duty from China, with no listed trade remedy. Confirm the substance and intended use before ordering: ask HSE to confirm the UK REACH registration position and any applicable exemptions, and clarify veterinary checks for animal-derived material. Cambridge China Bridge sources L-alanine.
L-alanine duty and classification
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, the residual amino-acid line 2922 49 85 90 and the named L-alanine isopropyl ester hydrochloride line 2922 49 85 75 carry 0% duty for goods from China. Neither has a listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension. Heading 2922 covers oxygen-function amino-compounds. The table repeats the residual line for different purchasing grades; these are not separate tariff subdivisions.
The supplied tariff record attaches Veterinary control to both lines. Confirm the requirement with your customs broker using the manufacturing route, raw-material origin and intended use. APHA's highly refined animal-product guidance covers animal-derived amino acids for human consumption and says Chinese raw animal material must appear in the permitted annex. The record also flags Export control - Waste; ask the broker about its relevance if rejected stock will be exported as waste.
Give the broker the full chemical identity, composition and batch documentation to confirm the commodity code. The free amino acid and its ester hydrochloride are different goods, so do not copy the derivative's code onto an L-alanine order. See the L-valine guide for related amino-acid sourcing within the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| L-alanine, food-use grade, subject to classification confirmation | 2922 49 85 90 | 0% | None |
| L-alanine isopropyl ester hydrochloride | 2922 49 85 75 | 0% | None |
Specify L-alanine identity and intended use
Specify L-alanine explicitly, rather than alanine without a stereochemical identity. Agree assay, optical identity, related amino acids, moisture, residue, particle size and the analytical methods used. State whether results are reported on a dry basis or as supplied. Ask for results from the actual production batch and agree an independent sample test before accepting bulk stock.
Separate laboratory, technical and food-use specifications. Ask HSE to confirm the UK REACH registration position and any applicable exemptions for imports into Great Britain, taking account of your annual import volume. Confirm the position for your intended use. If you import finished food supplements, you are legally responsible for their composition, safety and labelling; a raw-material analysis certificate does not establish finished-product compliance.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 sealed bags of L-alanine; values are hypothetical under 2922 49 85 90, invoiced at £6,500 free on board, with £1,410 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £7,910. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £7,910, so it is £1,582. 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: check the purchase order, bag labels and batch certificate all name L-alanine; verify optical identity and distinguish the free amino acid from the ester hydrochloride.
Analysis: compare assay, moisture and related-substance results with the agreed specification and test methods; check that the certificate identifies the batch delivered.
Packing: inspect liners, seals and outer bags for punctures, dampness and contamination; record caking or changes in appearance before opening stock for use.
Traceability: match bag batch references to delivery documents and retained samples; obtain the manufacturer's statement of production route and raw-material origin.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
An order stating only alanine leaves the optical form unclear. A satisfactory total assay can also conceal a mismatch in optical identity. Other failures include a typical analysis sheet supplied instead of batch results, inconsistent moisture reporting and technical-grade material offered against a food-use specification.
Damaged liners can leave powder damp or contaminated. Hold affected stock for investigation and compare a representative sample with the agreed specification. Resolve discrepancies in identity, batch documents or origin before releasing material into production.
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 L-alanine from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 0% for residual amino acids under 2922 49 85 90 and L-alanine isopropyl ester hydrochloride under 2922 49 85 75, with no listed trade remedy. Confirm classification for your goods.
Does importing L-alanine require UK REACH registration?
For imports into Great Britain, ask HSE to confirm the UK REACH registration position and any applicable exemptions, taking account of your annual import volume. Confirm the position for the intended use before ordering.
Is L-alanine isopropyl ester hydrochloride the same product?
No. It is a derivative with a separately named tariff line. Specify the free amino acid or the derivative explicitly and match the chemical identity across the order, labels and analysis certificate.
What should I ask for before accepting L-alanine?
Ask for batch-specific analysis, optical-identity evidence, agreed test methods, raw-material origin and packing details. Check the delivered batch independently against your intended-use specification.