Sourcing omeprazole capsules from China
Omeprazole capsules from China carry 0% UK duty under the relevant medicaments line. Routine commercial supply needs a UK marketing authorisation, and import into Great Britain from China needs a manufacturer's licence covering import and qualified-person batch certification. Cambridge China Bridge sources omeprazole capsules.
Zero duty on finished omeprazole capsules
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 15 October 2026, heading 3004 covers medicines in measured doses or retail packaging. The relevant line for finished omeprazole capsules is 3004 90 00 00, with 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. The packing variants shown share this code.
The tariff attaches controlled-drug, CITES, seal-product and free-circulation controls. Controlled-drug imports need a licence if applicable. CITES-listed species in the specified annexes need permits. Seal products for sale must qualify under the Inuit and other indigenous communities’ exemption. Ozone-depleting substance imports need a licence. Check the complete formulation and capsule-shell origins with your customs broker, who should confirm which controls and documents apply to this Chinese shipment.
Confirm classification using the finished formulation, dosage form and packing through finding your commodity code. The record also lists export controls for controlled drugs, CITES, mercury and goods for torture and repression; ask your broker about these before any onward export. See the wider medicines sourcing guide for the heading's licensing background.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omeprazole capsules in blister packs | 3004 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the capsule and authorised supply route
For routine commercial supply, establish the UK marketing authorisation and the licensed importer before placing an order. Importing from China into Great Britain requires a manufacturer's licence covering import; confirm with MHRA the applicable qualified-person batch certification arrangements. Check the Chinese site's manufacturing practice status, inspection history and suitability for the product's authorisation.
Specify omeprazole content per capsule, capsule shell material, excipients, gastro-resistant formulation where applicable, dissolution method, impurity specification and storage conditions against the authorised product. Agree the blister or bottle construction, moisture protection, pack count and remaining shelf life on arrival. Include approved carton and leaflet artwork in the purchasing specification.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 4,000 retail packs of authorised omeprazole capsules under 3004 90 00 00, invoiced at £16,800 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £20,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £20,800, so it is £4,160. 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
Batch evidence: compare the certificate of analysis and executed batch records with the authorised specification; arrange identity, assay and dissolution checks within the licensed importer's release process.
Capsules and packing: check shell damage, loose contents, blister seals or bottle closures, moisture damage and agreement with the approved packing specification.
Artwork and traceability: compare cartons, foils and patient leaflets with approved text; reconcile batch numbers and expiry dates across packs and records, including the carton's medicine name in Braille.
Transport: review temperature records against labelled storage conditions and check consignment seals, pallet condition and quantities before qualified-person release.
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What goes wrong
A capsule can look correct while its assay or dissolution differs from the authorised specification. Treat damaged seals, unexplained moisture exposure, missing batch records or inconsistent analytical results as investigation points within the importer's quality system.
Another failure is using an old leaflet or substituting a capsule shell, excipient or packing material without checking the authorised specification. Compare the actual production documents and artwork with the buyer's controlled versions before dispatch, then reconcile the shipment records on arrival.
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 omeprazole capsules from China?
The relevant line, 3004 90 00 00, carries 0% duty in the supplied tariff record. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension is listed; tariff controls still need checking.
Do I need a licence to import omeprazole capsules from China?
For import into Great Britain, use a manufacturer's licence covering import from China and confirm the applicable qualified-person batch certification requirements with MHRA. Establish the licensed importer before ordering.
Can I sell Chinese omeprazole capsules under my own brand?
Confirm with MHRA the UK marketing authorisation requirements applicable to routine commercial supply of the product. Agree the authorised formulation, manufacturer, packing and artwork before commissioning branded stock.
What should I check when omeprazole capsules arrive?
Check batch analysis, identity, assay and dissolution evidence, capsule and pack condition, approved artwork, matching batch and expiry details, and transport records within the licensed release process.