Sourcing plastic clamshells from China

Duty on clamshell containers

Heading 3923 covers plastic articles for conveying or packing goods and plastic closures. Box-shaped clamshell food containers are candidates for 3923 10 90 90. The table shows different uses of that same container line, plus separate lids; these are not separate tariff classifications for sandwiches, salads and meals. For component packaging, see our plastic dunnage tray sourcing guide.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, the container and separate-lid lines carried 6% duty for goods from China. Neither line showed anti-dumping or countervailing duty, a suspension or an attached import control. The wider heading includes other rates and specialised suspensions, which should not be applied to ordinary clamshells.

Confirm the commodity code using the material, shape, photographs and intended packing use. See flexible packaging pouches for the wider heading. Import VAT is 20%; see UK import duty and VAT.

Specify the resin, hinge and food use

Specify the plastic resin by name, whether it is solid or foamed, the usable internal dimensions, filled capacity, compartment layout, wall thickness and container weight. Agree the hinge shape, latch position, stacking features, ventilation and label area. Give the factory your actual food, filling temperature, storage conditions and intended reheating method rather than asking for a generic food-safe box.

For England, avoid selecting single-use expanded or extruded polystyrene clamshells for ready-to-eat food until the relevant authority confirms whether their sale and supply fall within the ban. Only polystyrene that has undergone foaming is within this ban. Confirm the intended sales territory before selecting the material.

Plastic food-contact materials must meet the applicable food-contact rules. Ask for the supplier's declaration of compliance and migration testing matched to the specified resin and intended food use. Agree production samples before ordering and arrange testing and certification support where needed.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 50,000 plastic clamshell food containers, illustrative order under 3923 10 90 90, invoiced at £4,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £5,200. Duty at 6% is £312. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £5,512, so it is £1,102.40. Import taxes total £1,414.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £312 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Closure: fill samples with the intended food, close every latch and check that handling and stacking do not spring the lid open.

Hinge and edges: open and close samples, check for splitting or whitening, and inspect trimmed edges for sharp burrs.

Shape and strength: compare dimensions and weight with approved samples; check nesting, separation and filled-box stability under the agreed storage conditions.

Documents and packing: match material and product identity to the declaration and test reports; check cleanliness, carton counts, crushing and batch identification on arrival.

What goes wrong

Thin corners buckle, a distorted rim prevents the latch engaging, and tightly nested boxes tear during separation. A clear salad box can soften when filled with hot food. Hinges crack after transport, vents release sauce, and labels lift on textured lids. Trial the complete food, box and label combination before approving production.

A report for a different resin or food-contact condition does not answer the buyer's specification. Keep approved samples and record any material changes before shipment. Separate a successful closure test from food-contact documentation: both need checking.

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.