Sourcing raisins and sultanas from China
Dried grapes from China, including raisins, sultanas and currants, have a 2% UK duty rate that is suspended to 0% until 31 December 2028, with no anti-dumping duty, and dried fruit is zero-rated for VAT. Ochratoxin A is limited to 10 µg/kg in dried vine fruit, sulphur dioxide must be labelled as an allergen, and pesticide limits apply. Cambridge China Bridge sources dried fruit.
Raisins, sultanas and currants from China pay 0% UK duty while a suspension runs to 2028. Ochratoxin A, sulphites, pesticides and a worked example.
Duty suspended to 0%
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 26 September 2026, currants, sultanas and other dried grapes carried a 2% third-country duty on goods from China, but an autonomous tariff suspension set duty at 0% from 21 June 2026 to 31 December 2028, with no conditions beyond excluding mixtures. No anti-dumping measure applied. The suspension does not cover mixed dried fruit or trail mixes, so confirm the commodity code for blends.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Currants | 0806 20 10 00 | 2%, suspended to 0% until 31 Dec 2028 | None |
| Sultanas in immediate containers up to 2 kg | 0806 20 30 10 | 2%, suspended to 0% until 31 Dec 2028 | None |
| Sultanas in larger containers | 0806 20 30 90 | 2%, suspended to 0% until 31 Dec 2028 | None |
| Other dried grapes, such as raisins | 0806 20 90 00 | 2%, suspended to 0% until 31 Dec 2028 | None |
Contaminants, sulphites and labels
Regulation 1881/2006 on contaminants, as it applies in Great Britain, sets a maximum level for ochratoxin A in dried vine fruit of 10 µg/kg, and pesticide residues must stay within the GB maximum residue levels. Ochratoxin forms when grapes dry slowly or are stored damp, so ask for a laboratory certificate per lot from an accredited lab and consider testing on arrival.
Golden and light sultanas are often treated with sulphur dioxide, and above 10 mg/kg sulphites must be declared and emphasised as an allergen on the label. Many dried grapes are also coated with a little vegetable oil to stop sticking, which goes in the ingredients. Retail packs need the name, ingredients, net quantity, best before date, storage conditions, country of origin and a UK food business address; see food labelling and contact rules and the walnuts and pine nuts guide.
Worked duty example
A hypothetical shipment, not a quote: 20,000 kg of sultanas in 10 kg cartons under 0806 20 30 90, bought for £40,000 free on board with £2,500 of freight and insurance, so the customs value is £42,500. The 2% third-country rate would be £850, but the autonomous suspension brings duty to 0% while it runs, to 31 December 2028. Dried fruit is food and zero-rated for VAT, so no import VAT is due either, and the landed cost is product, freight, testing and clearance. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
What goes wrong
Dried grapes fail on contaminants, moisture and foreign matter. Lots test over the ochratoxin A limit or show pesticide residues above GB levels, moisture is too high so fruit ferments, sugars or moulds in the container, and stems, capstems, stones and grit remain because cleaning and sorting were rushed. Sulphite levels exceed what the label declares, and fruit clumps because the oil coating was left off.
Test each lot at an accredited laboratory for ochratoxin A, pesticide residues and sulphur dioxide, measure moisture on samples before loading, check foreign matter and capstem counts against the specification, check colour and size grading against the approved sample, and use a ventilated container or liners with a temperature record in hot months.
Cambridge China Bridge sources raisins, sultanas and currants for packers, bakeries and retailers, with laboratory tests for each lot agreed before shipment. See our dried fruit sourcing service.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on raisins from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 26 September 2026, dried grapes carried 2%, suspended to 0% until 31 December 2028.
Is there VAT on imported raisins?
No. Dried fruit is food and zero-rated for VAT.
What is the ochratoxin A limit for raisins?
10 µg/kg for dried vine fruit under the contaminants regulation 1881/2006.
Do sulphites need labelling?
Yes. Above 10 mg/kg sulphur dioxide and sulphites must be declared and emphasised as an allergen.