Sourcing prepared sea cucumber from China

Prepared sea cucumber: 25% duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 1605 covers prepared or preserved crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates. Prepared sea cucumber under 1605 61 00 00 carries 25% duty for goods from China. The supplied facts list no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. The table shows different product presentations under the same supplied code.

The tariff attaches veterinary and organic import controls. Check that the exporting country and establishment are approved for prepared sea cucumber, and ask your customs broker to confirm health certification, advance notification, border control post checks and the common health entry document requirement. For organic orders, confirm certification and the certificate of inspection with your organic control body before ordering. The exporter’s control body issues that certificate.

The tariff also attaches CITES import and export controls. Check the scientific species name: listed species require permits. Ask your customs broker to confirm the requirements for the proposed Chinese shipment and any later export. Confirm the commodity code using the species, complete recipe and preparation. See the wider sea cucumber guide for dried products.

Specify preparation, usable weight and texture

Specify the scientific species name, wild or farmed origin, whole or cut presentation, size grade and cooking process. State whether the product is frozen, in brine, canned or vacuum-packed, and whether it is ready to eat or needs further cooking. Record salt, seasonings and other ingredients rather than accepting a description such as premium sea cucumber.

Agree drained or deglazed weight, the weighing method, acceptable broken pieces and texture after the intended reheating method. Retain an approved sample. Request processing records and evidence supporting storage instructions and shelf life. Check the food name, ingredients, relevant allergens, quantity, date marking and UK business address before printing labels.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative trial pallet of cooked frozen sea cucumber for a food wholesaler under 1605 61 00 00, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £34,000. Duty at 25% is £8,500. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £42,500, so it is £8,500. Import taxes total £17,000; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £8,500 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step. This assumes the goods are standard-rated for VAT. Most food for human consumption is zero-rated, and animal feed can be too, in which case no import VAT is due, so check the rate for your product in HMRC's VAT Notice 701/14.

Inspection checklist

Identity and documents: match species, preparation, plant approval, health certificate and batch markings to the order; check any applicable CITES and organic documents.

Usable contents: drain brined samples or remove glaze from frozen samples using the agreed method; compare weight, size grade, broken pieces and reheated texture with the specification.

Packaging and temperature: inspect vacuum loss, leaking seals, swollen cans and seam damage; review transport temperature records for chilled or frozen packs and investigate suspect stock.

Food safety and labels: check batch-linked microbiological results, including applicable Listeria criteria for ready-to-eat products, and compare label information with the recipe. Use the quality inspection guide to brief the inspection.

What goes wrong

A pack can meet its total weight while containing too much brine or glaze and too little usable sea cucumber. Changes in hydration or cooking can leave the flesh softer than the approved sample. Agree the usable-weight method and assess texture after the buyer’s intended preparation.

A valid tariff code does not settle import eligibility. A mismatched species name, missing plant approval or incorrect certification can delay clearance. Establish the species and production origin before ordering. Investigate leaking packs, swollen cans and unexplained temperature changes before releasing stock.

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.