Sourcing other live animals from China

Duty and species-specific import controls

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 18 November 2026, heading 0106 covers other live animals, including mammals, reptiles, birds, insects and frogs. The supplied China duty rates range from 0% to 6%: domestic rabbits attract 2%, pigeons 6%, and the other listed lines 0%. No anti-dumping duty, countervailing duty or suspension is recorded.

The tariff attaches veterinary and organic import controls, plus CITES and invasive alien species controls on relevant lines; other insects also carry an Animal Health Certificate control. Commercial reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates within the official guidance normally enter Great Britain through a border control post, but do not need veterinary health certification. Ask your customs broker to confirm the tariff veterinary, certificate and organic requirements for the exact species and any organic claim.

CITES-listed specimens require the relevant permit process; contact the Chinese management authority for corresponding documentation. In England and Wales, selling listed invasive alien animals is prohibited except in limited circumstances. Treat the table as classification options, not an approved species list. Confirm scientific name, intended use and destination with your broker and use finding your commodity code. The practical import guidance here concerns Great Britain; obtain separate advice for Northern Ireland.

Specify the species and receiving conditions

Order by scientific name rather than a supplier's common name. Record captive-bred or wild origin, life stage, sex where relevant, intended use, feeding needs and suitable receiving accommodation. Agree species-specific containers, ventilation, temperature management and an arrival care plan with the supplier and an animal transport specialist.

The commercial reptile, amphibian and invertebrate guidance permits imports from any trading partner, including China, but excludes salamanders, honeybees and bumblebees. It also warns that many invertebrates are prohibited plant pests. Do not apply this route to rabbits, birds or bees; ask for the applicable species-specific import conditions before ordering.

For a business selling animals as pets in England, contact the local council about the required licence. Online and home-based businesses still need a licence. Confirm the sales arrangements before selecting animals for resale.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative small batch of captive-bred ornamental reptiles, subject to species clearance under 0106 20 00 00, invoiced at £2,019 free on board, with £1,715 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,734. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,734, so it is £746.80. 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 with the agreed scientific names, life stages and supplier photographs; investigate substitutions.

Condition: check responsiveness, visible injuries, dehydration and unexpected deaths with a competent animal handler; arrange veterinary assessment where needed.

Containers: inspect closures, ventilation, bedding and evidence of overheating, leakage or escape.

Records: reconcile the animals received with the invoice, packing list and agreed origin records; retain photographs and report discrepancies promptly.

What goes wrong

A common name can conceal a different species with different import conditions. A duty-free line can still carry controls. Resolve uncertain identity before shipment rather than relying on a supplier's description or treating an ornamental animal as an unrestricted product.

Unsuitable containers and an unprepared receiving site can leave stressed animals without appropriate care. Agree who handles arrival, discrepancies and veterinary referral before dispatch. Separate a customs classification check from a species admissibility check.

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.