Sourcing paprika oleoresin from China

0% duty on vegetable-origin colourant

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, vegetable-origin colouring matter and preparations under 3203 00 10 00 carry 0% duty from China. The supplied data shows no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. Heading 3203 covers vegetable- or animal-origin colouring matter and preparations based on it. The table shows different paprika colourant forms sharing the vegetable-origin line.

The tariff attaches veterinary, CITES and waste import controls, plus CITES and waste export controls. Confirm the veterinary requirement for the complete formulation with your customs broker before shipment. For CITES-listed constituents, permit requirements apply; confirm applicability with the broker. If material is waste subject to notification controls, the exporter in China must seek consent from its competent authority. Ask the broker to confirm the attached controls for the actual goods, including any return shipment.

Confirm classification using the full composition, carrier and intended colouring function, following finding your commodity code. This guide concerns paprika oleoresin colourant rather than paprika spice powder. See natural colours and dyes for the wider heading.

Specify paprika colour strength and dispersion

State whether you need concentrate, a preparation in vegetable oil, a water-dispersible preparation or powder. Agree colour strength, its measurement method and wavelength, hue and the approved reference sample. Record every carrier and other ingredient so quotations describe comparable formulations.

For food use, confirm with the Food Standards Agency whether paprika extract, E 160c, is authorised for the intended food and which purity specifications apply. Ask for the extraction solvents used and batch results for residual solvents and relevant contaminants. Agree testing through testing and certification.

Trial the sample in your actual recipe and process. Check dispersion, colour after heating and colour retention during storage under the intended light and acidity conditions. Include flavour and pungency in the purchase specification if they affect your product.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2 tonnes of paprika oleoresin colourant powder 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

Colour strength: measure each batch against the agreed method and reference sample; compare hue in the finished recipe.

Dispersion: check the supplied form mixes into the intended oil or water phase without unacceptable sediment, separation or visible particles.

Composition and purity: match the declared carriers to the order and check batch test results against the food additive specification, including residual solvents and contaminants.

Packing and records: check seals, leakage and light protection; match container batch numbers to the certificate of analysis and retain a sample. See quality inspection.

What goes wrong

A cheaper preparation may contain more carrier and deliver less colour at the same addition rate. A sample can match the reference initially yet fade or brown after heating or storage. A formulation that disperses in oil may perform poorly in a water-based recipe.

Investigate differences between the certificate and measured colour strength before accepting the batch. Screen for undeclared synthetic dyes where authenticity is in doubt. Keep the agreed reference sample and record formulation changes so repeat orders can be compared fairly.

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.