Sourcing lavender essential oil from China
Lavender essential oil from China carries 0% UK duty, whether deterpenated or not, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. Chemical classification is required regardless of quantity; agree the oil's identity, batch evidence and hazard paperwork before shipment. Cambridge China Bridge sources lavender essential oil.
Lavender oil duty and tariff controls
Heading 3301 covers essential oils, including lavender oil. Non-deterpenated lavender oil falls under 3301 29 49 00; deterpenated lavender or lavandin oil has the specific line 3301 29 79 00. The table separates lavender and lavandin purchasing specifications under these shared codes. Fragrance blends and finished cosmetic products need separate classification. See the wider essential oils guide.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 20 October 2026, both relevant lines carry 0% duty for goods from China, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing measure or suspension. Both attach organic import control and mercury export control; the non-deterpenated line also attaches a restriction on entry into free circulation. The importer should confirm the applicable requirements with their customs broker, particularly for organic claims or scheduled substances.
Confirm the botanical identity, whether terpenes have been removed, and whether the shipment is pure oil or a formulated product before choosing the commodity code. Keep the supplier's specification with the customs instructions. The import duty and VAT guide explains the separate import VAT calculation.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lavender essential oil, not deterpenated | 3301 29 49 00 | 0% | None |
| Lavender essential oil, deterpenated | 3301 29 79 00 | 0% | None |
Specify botanical identity and batch purity
Write the botanical name into the purchase specification, distinguishing lavender from lavandin. Agree the extraction method, whether the oil is deterpenated, and whether any carrier oil or other ingredient is added. State the intended use so the supplier provides relevant composition and allergen information.
Agree a batch gas chromatography profile and acceptance ranges for linalool, linalyl acetate and physical properties. Where appropriate, compare lavender oil with ISO 3515. Request chiral analysis when synthetic addition is suspected, and retain an approved sample for comparison.
Chemical classification must be carried out regardless of the quantity supplied. For hazardous oil supplied to business users, confirm the applicable hazard-label and English safety data sheet requirements with HSE and arrange the relevant paperwork. Ask the forwarder to review the transport classification before booking.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 200 kg of lavender essential oil under 3301 29 49 00, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,600. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,600, so it is £1,320. 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: match the botanical name, deterpenation status and batch number across containers, specification and analysis reports.
Purity: compare the batch chromatogram and physical results with the agreed specification; investigate unexpected peaks or suspected synthetic additions.
Freshness: check the agreed peroxide result, appearance and odour against the retained sample; record storage conditions and signs of leakage.
Packing and paperwork: inspect compatible containers, closures and tamper seals; match hazard labels, the English safety data sheet and transport information to the supplied oil.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A lavender description can conceal lavandin substitution, carrier-oil dilution or added synthetic linalool and linalyl acetate. An acceptable smell does not establish purity. Put the botanical identity and batch test criteria in the order, then compare a retained shipment sample with the approved profile.
Warm storage and air exposure can oxidise lavender oil. Leaking closures, missing batch reports and inconsistent hazard paperwork create further problems. Agree packing and storage conditions before dispatch, and hold suspect stock separately while its identity and condition are checked.
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 lavender oil from China?
The supplied tariff data records 0% duty for non-deterpenated and deterpenated lavender oil from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded.
Is lavandin the same specification as lavender oil?
Specify them separately by botanical name. Agree the composition profile and intended use; sharing a tariff code does not make them interchangeable.
How do I check lavender essential oil for adulteration?
Compare each batch's gas chromatography report with the agreed pure-oil profile. Test a retained sample and request chiral analysis if synthetic addition is suspected.
Can I rely on a supplier's organic lavender oil claim?
The tariff attaches organic import control. Confirm the applicable requirement with your customs broker before shipment; a supplier's organic description alone does not resolve the control.