Sourcing pectinase enzymes from China

Zero duty and a veterinary-control flag

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 3507 covers enzymes and prepared enzymes not elsewhere specified or included. Pectinase preparations provisionally fit the residual line 3507 90 90 90. The table shows different product forms under that same line, rather than separate tariff classifications.

The supplied tariff record gives 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension listed. It attaches Veterinary control to the residual line. Confirm the requirement with your customs broker using the enzyme source and full formulation. If the preparation is subject to veterinary checks, those checks must take place at an approved border control post.

Confirm the commodity code against the composition and intended use before shipment. For wider enzyme-heading context, see our food-grade alpha-amylase guide.

Specify pectinase activity and the juice process

Specify the intended fruit or juice, whether the enzyme is for extraction or clarification, and whether you need liquid, powder or granules. Agree activity units, assay substrate, temperature and acidity conditions. Request the production strain, carrier ingredients, preservatives, storage instructions and batch certificate of analysis.

Compare samples in your own process, checking viscosity reduction, clarification and filtration behaviour. Do not compare activity figures measured by different assays as though they were equivalent. Agree acceptance criteria for microbiology and heavy metals for food-grade material.

Food-production enzymes fall under the food-enzyme rules described in our published enzyme guide; confirm the preparation and intended use with the Food Standards Agency before ordering. Official guidance says the domestic food-enzyme list is not yet established. A supplier's food-grade description alone does not settle suitability for your use.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 5 tonnes of liquid pectinase preparation for a juice processor; illustrative FOB value and freight, not a quotation. under 3507 90 90 90, invoiced at £22,000 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £23,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £23,800, so it is £4,760. 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 batch certificate, production strain, formulation and container markings to the agreed pectinase preparation.

Activity: test a retained sample using the contractual assay, then check clarification and filtration performance in the intended juice.

Condition: inspect liquid for leakage and unexpected separation, and powder or granules for moisture, caking and excessive dust.

Storage: check seals, batch identification, remaining shelf life and transport records against the supplier's agreed storage conditions.

What goes wrong

A high activity figure can hide an assay mismatch or an enzyme blend that performs poorly in the buyer's fruit matrix. Changed carriers or accompanying enzyme activities can alter process results. Warm transit can reduce activity, while moisture can damage powdered preparations.

Approve a sample in the intended process, retain comparison samples and check each delivered batch before releasing it to production. Resolve source declarations and the tariff's veterinary-control flag before dispatch, rather than relying on a generic enzyme certificate.

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.