Sourcing lettuce seeds from China
Lettuce seeds from China have a 2% base UK duty, with a conditional 0.00% suspension. Standard vegetable seed can be imported from third countries, but marketing seed in England and Wales requires a business licence. Confirm variety eligibility and plant health requirements before shipment. Cambridge China Bridge sources lettuce seeds.
Buying from China for a business? How our UK China sourcing agent service works · China sourcing agent for small orders and first imports
Lettuce seed duty and the suspension
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 1209 covers seeds, fruit and spores used for sowing. Loose lettuce seed falls within the vegetable-seed line 1209 91 80 10. The table shows buying types sharing that code, rather than separate tariff classifications. For other species, see our sowing seeds guide.
The relevant vegetable-seed lines carry 2% base duty and a 0.00% autonomous suspension. The suspension excludes mixtures, preparations and products made up of different components containing these seeds. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is recorded. The tariff attaches an organic-products import control. Organic lettuce seed from China needs a valid Certificate of Inspection for import into Great Britain.
Ask your customs broker to confirm suspension eligibility and the commodity code, particularly for pelleted, coated or mixed seed. Ask the plant health authority to confirm the category and documents for the species and Chinese origin before shipment. Official guidance exempts low-risk plants and plant products from plant health controls.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butterhead lettuce seeds for sowing | 1209 91 80 10 | 2% | None |
Specify the lettuce variety and seed form
Specify butterhead, cos, iceberg or loose-leaf type, the exact variety name, leaf colour, intended growing season and whether the crop is for heads or baby leaves. Agree germination, varietal purity, moisture and a batch-specific test report before accepting the lot. Identify loose, primed, coated or pelleted seed explicitly.
Standard vegetable seed can be imported from any third country. In England and Wales, your business needs a licence to market seed. Ask the seed authority to confirm the proposed variety's marketing eligibility before ordering. Request treatment details, storage instructions and an agreed grow-out sample so that the supplied variety can be checked against the buying specification.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative small-business trial lot of loose lettuce seeds for sowing under 1209 91 80 10, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,400. Duty at 2% is £68. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,468, so it is £693.60. Import taxes total £761.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £68 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: match variety names and lot references across packs, invoices and test reports; retain a sealed reference sample.
Germination: test a representative arrival sample against the agreed specification; record test conditions and abnormal seedlings.
Condition: inspect for damp packs, mould, damaged seed, foreign seeds and broken pellets; check pack seals.
Documents: check the seed marketing licence position and agreed import documents before dispatch; match any organic Certificate of Inspection to the consignment.
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What goes wrong
A correct lettuce type can conceal the wrong variety, with different leaf colour, head formation or bolting behaviour. A supplier's generic germination report may describe another lot. Poor storage can reduce germination, while damaged pellets can disrupt precision sowing. Use lot-specific reports and arrival tests, followed by a grow-out against the agreed sample.
A low tariff does not settle whether the seed can be marketed. Resolve licence and variety questions before buying. Do not assume coated seed or a lettuce mixture qualifies for the suspension; have the broker assess the actual composition. For organic orders, arrange the Certificate of Inspection 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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on lettuce seeds from China?
The relevant vegetable-seed lines have 2% base duty and a conditional 0.00% suspension. Mixtures, preparations and products made up of different components are excluded from that suspension.
Can I import lettuce seeds from China for resale?
Standard vegetable seed can be imported from any third country. Marketing seed in England and Wales needs a business licence. Confirm variety eligibility with the seed authority before ordering.
Do organic lettuce seeds need import paperwork?
Yes. Organic goods imported into Great Britain from third countries need a valid Certificate of Inspection. Confirm the arrangements for your Chinese consignment with your control body and broker.
How should I check lettuce seed quality on arrival?
Match the lot to its test report, inspect packaging and seed condition, test germination against the agreed specification and retain a reference sample. Use a grow-out to check variety identity.