Sourcing natural curcumin colourant from China

0% duty on natural curcumin colourant

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 8 November 2026, natural curcumin colourant and preparations based on it fall within vegetable-origin colouring matter, code 3203 00 10 00, at 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff facts list no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. Heading 3203 covers vegetable- or animal-origin colouring matter, including dyeing extracts, but excludes animal black.

The UK Trade Tariff attaches veterinary and CITES import controls and waste import controls to this line, plus CITES and waste export controls. Confirm the requirements for your formulation from China with your customs broker before shipping. Waste shipment controls apply only if the material is waste. For CITES, confirm the source species and whether the preparation contains listed material requiring documentation.

The table shows different curcumin forms under the same vegetable-origin line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions. Give your broker the composition, carrier ingredients, manufacturing description and intended use to confirm the commodity code. For other colourants, see natural colours and dyes.

Specify curcumin for your recipe

State whether you need powder, liquid, oil-dispersible or water-dispersible material. Agree colour strength, the measurement method and wavelength, hue, carrier ingredients and extraction solvents. Compare samples at the same addition level in your actual recipe, including its heating, acidity and storage conditions.

For food use in Great Britain, curcumin is the food colour E 100 and must meet its authorised conditions of use. Confirm the applicable purity specification with the relevant food authority. Check the food additive register for the intended food category and conditions. Ask for a batch certificate of analysis and supporting test reports covering the supplied formulation, including residual solvents and contaminants.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 2 tonnes of water-dispersible natural curcumin colourant preparation, illustrative only under 3203 00 10 00, invoiced at £24,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £25,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £25,500, so it is £5,100. 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 and formulation: compare the supplied ingredient declaration, carriers and extraction solvents with the approved specification and sample.

Colour and dispersion: measure batch colour strength against the agreed reference and check hue, specks and separation in the intended recipe.

Purity: check batch test results for residual extraction solvents, lead, arsenic and mercury against the food additive specification; agree microbiological testing for powder.

Packing and records: check seals, light protection, moisture damage and caking on arrival. Match pack batch numbers to certificates and retain a sample. See quality inspection.

What goes wrong

A sample can look suitable before processing yet fade or brown in the finished recipe. A weaker batch needs more colourant to reach the approved shade. Undeclared carriers can change dispersion, while damp powder cakes and becomes difficult to dose consistently.

Approve the formulation and a reference sample together, then compare each supplied batch using the same method. Investigate unexpected colour strength or hue with testing for undeclared synthetic dyes. Check that the supplier controls extraction, blending and batch records 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.