Sourcing Ovomucoid Protein from China
If classified under the supplied egg-albumin lines, ovomucoid protein from China carries 0% duty or £13 to £103 per 100 kg. Veterinary controls attach, so confirm classification and the import route before ordering. Research-sample permissions do not cover commercial use. Cambridge China Bridge sources ovomucoid protein.
Confirm classification before applying the duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 3502 covers albumins, albuminates and other albumin derivatives. The table selects its egg-albumin lines for classification review. It does not establish that purified ovomucoid belongs in these lines. Send the broker the protein identity, composition, processing, physical form and intended use.
For goods from China classified in these egg-albumin lines, the unfit-for-human-consumption categories carry 0% duty. Other dried egg albumin carries £103 per 100 kg, and other non-dried egg albumin carries £13 per 100 kg. No anti-dumping duty, countervailing duty or suspension is listed. Each selected line attaches veterinary control referring to a common health entry document for animal products; confirm the applicable requirement with your customs broker.
Qualifying research and diagnostic samples are exempt from veterinary checks, but that exemption does not establish eligibility for ordinary commercial stock. Confirm the commodity code and import route before dispatch. For the wider heading context, see sourcing ovotransferrin from China.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dried egg albumin unfit, or to be rendered unfit, for human consumption | 3502 11 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Other dried egg albumin, crystals | 3502 11 90 10 | £103.00 per 100 kg | None |
| Other dried egg albumin, excluding crystals | 3502 11 90 90 | £103.00 per 100 kg | None |
| Non-dried egg albumin unfit, or to be rendered unfit, for human consumption | 3502 19 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Other non-dried egg albumin | 3502 19 90 00 | £13.00 per 100 kg | None |
Specify ovomucoid identity and assay performance
Specify ovomucoid by name, animal source, extraction and purification process, powder or solution, and intended application. Agree an identity method, purity method, moisture basis and trypsin-inhibition assay where relevant to your work. For solutions, record the buffer, preservatives and concentration basis. Request a batch certificate of analysis, supporting assay results and a retained sample.
For qualifying research imports from China, apply to the Animal and Plant Health Agency for a specific import authorisation if no appropriate general authorisation exists. Research and diagnostic samples cannot subsequently be used commercially. Ask the agency and broker to confirm whether your proposed use and supply arrangement qualify, including the receiving premises, documents and disposal arrangements.
For food use, egg products must originate from an establishment approved to export to Great Britain. Ask your broker to confirm eligibility for the exact Chinese product and factory, health certification, advance notification and the border entry route. A research-use label does not resolve a food-import proposal.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative only: 20 kg of dried laboratory ovomucoid protein unfit for human consumption, conditional on confirmation of this classification and the import route under 3502 11 10 00, invoiced at £16,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £18,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £18,000, so it is £3,600. 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: match the ovomucoid name, animal source, batch number and physical form across the purchase specification, analysis certificate and containers.
Assays: check purity and identity using the agreed methods; compare inhibition activity or your application test with the approved sample.
Condition: inspect seals, moisture damage, caking and solution appearance; compare transport and storage records with the agreed conditions.
Traceability: reconcile container quantities and batch records, retain a sample and record acceptance results. Plan sampling with the inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
A quotation may describe the material simply as egg protein, leaving the actual ovomucoid identity and purity unresolved. Ask for results that distinguish the requested protein from a mixed preparation. An overall protein-content result alone is an inadequate purchase specification for an identity-specific order.
Different purity methods or activity assays can produce results that are difficult to compare. Agree the method and acceptance basis before ordering. Keep commercial stock separate from any proposal to import qualifying research samples: those samples cannot subsequently be used commercially. Resolve classification and the veterinary-control route before paying for production or freight.
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 ovomucoid protein from China?
If classified in the supplied egg-albumin lines, duty is 0% for unfit-for-human-consumption grades, £103 per 100 kg for other dried forms, or £13 per 100 kg otherwise. Confirm the code for purified ovomucoid.
Can I import ovomucoid as a research sample?
Ask the Animal and Plant Health Agency whether the proposed use qualifies. If no appropriate general authorisation exists, apply for a specific one. Research and diagnostic samples cannot subsequently be used commercially.
Does ovomucoid need veterinary checks?
The selected tariff lines attach veterinary control. Qualifying research and diagnostic samples are exempt from veterinary checks. Ask your broker to confirm which route and documents apply to your consignment.
What should an ovomucoid certificate of analysis show?
Request batch identity, source, purity and the methods used. Agree moisture or solution concentration, relevant inhibition activity, storage conditions and an application test against your approved sample.