Sourcing pet food and animal feed from China
UK duty on dog and cat food from China depends on starch and milk content: 0% for many starch-based recipes, 8% with neither starch nor milk, and up to £793 a tonne with milk products; most other feeds pay 8%. Pet food with animal products must come from an approved country and establishment, be pre-notified on IPAFFS and pass border checks. Cambridge China Bridge sources pet food and feed.
UK duty on pet food from China runs from 0% to £793 a tonne by starch and milk content. Approved plants, IPAFFS and border checks explained.
Duty follows the recipe
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, retail dog and cat food is split by its starch and milk product content, with rates from 0% to £793 per 1,000 kg. Other animal feed preparations, including premixes and bulk dog or cat food, mostly carried 8%. No line had an anti-dumping measure, and the heading carries a veterinary control measure.
So the recipe sheet decides the duty. Give the commodity code check the starch, glucose and milk content by weight.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail dog or cat food, up to 10% starch, under 10% milk products | 2309 10 11 00 | 0% | None |
| Retail dog or cat food, up to 10% starch, 10% to under 50% milk products | 2309 10 13 00 | £416 per 1,000 kg | None |
| Retail dog or cat food, over 10% to 30% starch, under 10% milk products | 2309 10 31 00 | 0% | None |
| Retail dog or cat food, over 30% starch, under 10% milk products | 2309 10 51 00 | £85 per 1,000 kg | None |
| Retail dog or cat food, no starch, containing milk products | 2309 10 70 00 | £793 per 1,000 kg | None |
| Retail dog or cat food, no starch and no milk products | 2309 10 90 00 | 8% | None |
| Other feed preparations, other | 2309 90 96 96 | 8% | None |
Approved plants and IPAFFS
Pet food containing animal products is a product of animal origin. GOV.UK guidance requires it to come from an approved non-EU country and an approved establishment, with a health certificate, pre-notification on IPAFFS and checks at a border control post. Check that the Chinese plant is listed for that product before you order.
Plant-based feed is not a product of animal origin, but feed law still applies to its labelling and additives.
Labels and additives
Pet food labels must state the type of food, composition, analytical constituents and additives in the prescribed form, and feed additives must be authorised in Great Britain. Ask for the recipe, the additive list and the laboratory analysis before the label artwork.
Chews, treats and toys are covered in the pet products guide.
Samples and shelf life
Test samples for the analytical constituents on the label and for contaminants, and agree the shelf life, packaging and storage in transit.
Cambridge China Bridge sources pet food and feed preparations, with plant approval, IPAFFS and label questions settled before the order. See how our sourcing service works.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on pet food from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, retail dog and cat food ranged from 0% to £793 per 1,000 kg depending on starch and milk content, and most other feed preparations carried 8%.
Can any Chinese factory export pet food to the UK?
Not for pet food containing animal products. It must come from an approved country and establishment, with a health certificate and IPAFFS pre-notification.
Why does the milk content change the duty?
The tariff splits retail dog and cat food by starch and milk product content, and lines with milk products carry specific duties per tonne.
Does plant-based pet food need border checks?
It is not a product of animal origin, but feed law on labelling and additives still applies.