Sourcing Quinquina wine from China
Quinquina aromatised wine from China carries 0% UK customs duty across the relevant heading 2205 lines, with Alcohol Duty separate. Its main flavouring must be natural quinine flavouring. Check the recipe, strength and organic paperwork before shipment. Cambridge China Bridge sources Quinquina aromatised wine.
0% customs duty, with Alcohol Duty separate
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 2205 covers vermouth and other fresh-grape wine flavoured with plants or aromatic substances. Quinquina aromatised wine falls within this family. The lines distinguish containers holding 2 litres or less from larger containers, and alcoholic strength of 18% or less from strength above 18%.
Every listed line carries 0% customs duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff data lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duties and no suspensions. It attaches an organic import control to every line. Organic products need an inspection certificate for release as organic; check the exporter’s certification route and confirm the consignment requirements with your customs broker.
Alcohol Duty is separate from customs duty. Agree the excise arrangements with your customs agent before shipment and include Alcohol Duty when budgeting import VAT at 20%. Confirm the commodity code using the recipe, alcoholic strength and container capacity. See the vermouth guide for the wider heading and the duty and VAT guide for costing.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quinquina wine, containers up to 2 litres, alcohol up to 18% | 2205 10 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Quinquina wine, containers up to 2 litres, alcohol above 18% | 2205 10 90 00 | 0% | None |
| Quinquina wine, containers over 2 litres, alcohol up to 18% | 2205 90 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Quinquina wine, containers over 2 litres, alcohol above 18% | 2205 90 90 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the Quinquina recipe and bitter profile
The bitter aromatised wine definition describes wine with a characteristic bitter flavour to which alcohol has been added. The Quinquina entry identifies natural quinine flavouring as its main flavouring. Ask the producer for the full recipe and flavouring specification before approving the product name or artwork.
Agree the grape-wine base, added alcohol, quinine flavouring source, sweetness, colour, aroma and bitter finish against a retained sample. Specify bottle capacity, closure, fill level, case dividers and storage instructions. Request batch analysis for alcoholic strength and the agreed flavouring specification.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 3,000 bottles of 500 ml Quinquina aromatised wine at 18% alcohol by volume under 2205 10 10 00, invoiced at £12,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £13,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £13,500, so it is £2,700. 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. HMRC's VAT Notice 701/14 lists alcoholic beverages among the exceptions that are standard-rated even though most food is zero-rated, so the 20% VAT shown applies.
Inspection checklist
Recipe: match production records and flavouring documents to the approved Quinquina formulation; investigate any substitution.
Liquid: compare aroma, sweetness, bitterness, colour and clarity with the retained sample; check alcoholic strength against the label.
Packaging: inspect bottle damage, closure security, leakage, fill levels and wet cartons on arrival.
Labels and documents: check the product name, net quantity, alcoholic strength, allergens and UK business address. Match batch references to the analysis report and check organic certification where claimed. Use a written inspection brief.
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What goes wrong
A sample approved for its bitter finish can be followed by a production batch with different sweetness, colour or flavouring. Ask for written approval before recipe changes and compare shipment samples with the retained sample. Treat a generic botanical flavouring description as a point to investigate before accepting a Quinquina label.
Bottle leakage, damaged dividers and labels that omit UK information are practical rejection points. Organic paperwork can also be mismatched to the goods: the inspection certificate is issued by the exporter’s control body, and eligible countries and control bodies are listed in the official organic registers. Check the route for China before accepting an organic claim.
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 Quinquina wine from China?
The relevant heading 2205 lines all carry 0% customs duty in the supplied tariff data. Alcohol Duty and import VAT are separate.
Does Quinquina wine need natural quinine flavouring?
Yes. The legal Quinquina wine entry identifies natural quinine flavouring as its main flavouring. Obtain the producer’s flavouring specification.
Can I import organic Quinquina wine from China?
Check the recognised certification route for China before ordering. Organic products need inspection certification for release as organic; confirm the shipment paperwork with your broker.
What should I check when Quinquina wine arrives?
Check leakage, broken bottles, closures, fill levels and labels. Compare the liquid with the approved sample and match batch references to the analysis report.