Sourcing live feeder crickets from China

Duty and import controls for live feeder crickets

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 0106 covers other live animals. Live feeder crickets fall within the other-insects line, 0106 49 00 00, at 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff data records no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension for this line. The size descriptions in the table share the same commodity code.

The tariff attaches animal health certificate, veterinary, CITES import/export, invasive alien species and organic-product controls. APHA states that these non-harmonised animals have no animal health import requirements. Ask your customs broker to reconcile the certificate and veterinary measures with that guidance, confirm the common health entry document procedure, and establish whether organic or CITES export paperwork applies.

Confirm the classification using the scientific species name, live condition and intended use, with commodity-code guidance. For animals outside this product family, see other live animals.

Specify species, size and survival on arrival

Specify the scientific species name, nymph or adult stage, body-size band, quantity per tub and intended pet-feed use. Agree how live arrivals will be counted, how mortality will be recorded and what evidence supports a claim. Ask the breeder to describe its feed, moisture provision, cleaning and separation of breeding batches.

Check the named species before accepting a substitution. CITES-listed specimens need an import permit. In England and Wales, you must not buy live listed invasive alien animals as feed. Ask APHA to confirm any unresolved species or plant-pest restrictions before placing the order.

Arrange import pre-notification at least one working day before expected arrival. Ask the broker to confirm the entry point and handling arrangements. For selling as feed in England or Wales, confirm feed-business registration or approval with the local authority before trading.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: ventilated tubs of live feeder crickets for a pet-feed wholesaler under 0106 49 00 00, invoiced at £2,019 free on board, with £834 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,853. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,853, so it is £570.60. 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: compare the animals and supplier's species declaration with the purchase specification; check that size grades have not been mixed.

Condition: record live, dead and weak animals separately using the agreed counting method; photograph the condition before changing the packing.

Packing: check ventilation, secure lids, crushed tubs, condensation, mould and loose insects inside the outer carton.

Records: match batch references and tub quantities to the invoice and packing list; retain dispatch photographs and arrival observations.

What goes wrong

A quote for 'crickets' leaves species and size unresolved. Mixed growth stages can make a shipment unsuitable for the buyer's intended animals. Agree measurable size bands and the procedure for checking them before dispatch.

Blocked ventilation, wet packing and rough handling can leave weak or dead stock. Unclear handover arrangements can extend time in transit. Agree the receiving contact, collection arrangements and mortality-claim evidence before shipment; assess the breeder through factory verification.

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.