Sourcing printed restaurant menus from China
Printed restaurant menus under heading 4911 carry 0% UK duty from China across the supplied tariff lines. VAT depends on the finished item: HMRC does not treat laminated paper as leaflets. Approve menu text and a physical proof before printing. Cambridge China Bridge sources printed restaurant menus.
Duty and classification for printed menus
Heading 4911 covers other printed matter, including trade advertising. For restaurant menus, distinguish promotional takeaway leaflets from other printed menu sheets. The table repeats candidate codes for different menu formats; these are starting points for classification, rather than rulings. This guide covers printed paper and card menus. See the wider printed matter guide for the rest of the heading.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, the supplied lines carried 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures and no suspensions shown. The advertising line has no attached controls. The residual printed-matter line carries a DCMS Export Licence entry. Official guidance states that cultural-interest imports into Great Britain have no licensing requirements; ask your customs broker to confirm how the attached tariff entry affects your declaration.
Send the broker the finished sample, artwork, material and intended use to confirm the commodity code. Import VAT follows the UK treatment of the same goods. HMRC considers laminated paper items to be kept and therefore not leaflets, so do not assume a reusable menu qualifies for leaflet zero rating. Confirm the finished menu's VAT treatment before ordering; see import duty and VAT.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Takeaway menu leaflets used as trade advertising | 4911 10 90 00 | 0% | None |
| Other printed restaurant menu sheets, subject to classification | 4911 99 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the menu artwork and surface
Agree the open and folded dimensions, paper or card weight, grain direction, print colours, surface finish and folding. Separate disposable takeaway menus from reusable table menus. For reusable versions, approve a sample using the restaurant's usual cleaning method and check whether the surface becomes cloudy, tacky or stained.
Supply approved dish names, descriptions, prices, translations and allergen wording as final artwork. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Food Standards Agency guidance requires allergen information for every loose-food item containing a regulated allergen. Have the restaurant approve any allergen content before printing; the printer should reproduce the approved text rather than devise it.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20,000 folded takeaway menus for a restaurant business under 4911 10 90 00, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,800, so it is £1,360. 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
Artwork: compare dish names, prices, allergen symbols and translated text against the approved file; scan any printed ordering code on the finished sample.
Print: compare colour and small-text clarity with the signed physical proof; check registration, trimming and whether folds cross important text.
Surface: wipe reusable menus using the agreed cleaning method; check ink transfer, scratches, lamination bubbles and lifting edges.
Packing: check menu versions and bundle counts against the order, then inspect for dampness, curl, crushed corners and fold damage. Use the quality inspection guide to brief the inspector.
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What goes wrong
An old artwork file can reproduce obsolete dishes, prices or allergen symbols throughout the shipment. Fold placement can hide descriptions, while heavy gloss can make small text difficult to read under restaurant lighting. Approve a folded physical proof on the actual stock and identify the approved artwork version in the order.
Reusable menus can look satisfactory when dry but develop cloudy surfaces or lifting edges after cleaning. Paper menus can arrive curled or with cracked folds after damp storage or poor packing. Agree cleaning checks and packing with the supplier, and check production samples against the approved menu before dispatch.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on printed restaurant menus from China?
The supplied heading 4911 lines carry 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures shown. Confirm the code for the finished menu.
Are laminated restaurant menus zero-rated for VAT?
Do not assume they are. HMRC considers laminated paper items to be kept and therefore not leaflets. Confirm the finished menu's VAT treatment before ordering.
What should I send a Chinese menu printer?
Send final artwork, approved menu text, paper or card specifications, folding and finish details. Approve a physical proof on the intended stock before bulk printing.
How do I check that reusable menus can be cleaned?
Try the restaurant's usual cleaning method on the approved sample. Check for ink transfer, staining, cloudiness, tackiness and lifting edges, then repeat the agreed check on production samples.