Pea protein and protein isolates from China

Isolate or concentrate decides the rate

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 26 September 2026, protein substances in heading 3504, including pea protein with more than 65% protein on a dry basis and whey protein isolate, carried 2% duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure. A new suspension from 5 August 2026 to 31 December 2028 gives 0% for pea protein isolate in powder form from yellow field peas with 80% or more protein on a dry weight basis, declared with document 9Y12; zein has its own suspension on the same line.

Protein concentrates and textured protein in heading 2106 are a different line: pea protein concentrate without added fat or sugar carried 12%, while soya protein concentrate of 65% to 90% protein in powder or textured form (2106 10 20 20) has a 0% suspension to 31 December 2028. The difference between an isolate and a concentrate, and between plain powder and a blended product with flavour or sweetener, therefore matters more than the price. Give the specification sheet to the broker, confirm the commodity code, and ask HMRC for an advance ruling on a new product.

Food law and border checks

Plant protein sold as food must be safe under the Food Safety Act 1990 and meet the retained contaminants regulation 1881/2006, which sets maximum levels for lead, cadmium and mycotoxins in many foods; pea and soya protein are also checked for pesticide residues. Soya and milk are among the 14 allergens that must be declared, and a pea protein line that also runs soya needs cross-contact controls. Proteins sold as supplements fall under the Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003, and organic claims need a GB certificate of inspection.

Proteins of animal origin, such as whey, milk protein and collagen, carry veterinary control on the tariff and must come from an approved plant with a health certificate and pre-notification, while plant proteins normally clear without it. Our food preparations guide covers blended products and the food acids guide other food ingredients. For albumins, see our guide to sourcing albumins from China. For gelatin, see our gelatin sourcing guide. See our non-dairy creamer sourcing guide. Distinguish plant protein from whey when planning UK customs clearance for protein powders, as their veterinary paperwork differs.

Worked duty example

Take a hypothetical 20 tonnes of pea protein isolate at 75% protein, which misses the 80% suspension condition, entered under 3504 00 90 91: £40,000 free on board plus £3,000 of freight and insurance gives a customs value of £43,000. Duty at 2% is £860. Sold as a food ingredient, the powder is zero-rated for VAT, so no import VAT is due and the landed cost before clearance fees is £43,860. An isolate that met the 80% yellow-pea condition, declared with document 9Y12, would pay no duty, while a retail sports-nutrition product may be standard-rated, so check VAT Notice 701/14.

What goes wrong

Protein powder fails on assay, contaminants and function. The protein content is below the certificate because the nitrogen factor was chosen to flatter it, moisture is high, heavy metals or pesticide residues exceed limits, Salmonella or high plate counts appear, and a soya trace turns up in a pea product. Solubility, taste and colour change between lots, so a drink or bar that worked on the sample fails in production, and an isolate below 80% loses the suspension.

Test each lot in an accredited lab: protein by Kjeldahl or Dumas with the nitrogen factor stated, moisture, ash, lead, cadmium and arsenic, pesticide residues, Salmonella and total plate count, and a soya allergen test. Check solubility, particle size, colour and taste against a retained sample, and keep the certificate of analysis for each lot with the shipment.

Cambridge China Bridge sources pea and other plant proteins for food and sports-nutrition brands, with lot testing in accredited labs arranged before shipment. See how we source food ingredients. For trade in the other direction, see exporting UK protein powders to China.