Sourcing raspberry ketone from China
Raspberry ketone from China has a 4% UK tariff rate, with a suspension to 0% for the named substance, excluding mixtures and preparations. Check the intended use: flavouring conditions and novel-food status matter before food or supplement sales. Cambridge China Bridge sources raspberry ketone.
Raspberry ketone duty and suspension
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, raspberry ketone is the named substance with CAS number 5471-51-2 under 2914 50 00 40. Heading 2914 covers ketones and quinones, including ketones with other oxygen functions. The supplied tariff record shows 4% duty for goods from China and an autonomous suspension to 0.00 %, excluding mixtures, preparations and products containing different components. It records no anti-dumping or countervailing duty for this line.
The tariff record attaches an export waste control, rather than a listed import control for this substance. Waste shipment controls apply only when the material is waste. If a consignment is discarded material or its status is uncertain, ask your customs broker to confirm the applicable requirements before arranging shipment.
Confirm the commodity code using the substance identity and complete composition. The table distinguishes purchasing uses of the same named tariff line, rather than separate commodity lines. A raspberry extract, diluted fragrance or finished supplement needs its own classification assessment. For wider heading coverage, see ethyl maltol from China.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raspberry ketone for fragrance formulation | 2914 50 00 40 | 4% | None |
Specify identity, grade and intended use
Specify raspberry ketone by CAS number 5471-51-2, rather than relying on a raspberry aroma description. Agree assay, analytical method, impurity profile, residual solvents, moisture, appearance and packaging. Request a batch certificate of analysis and an approval sample. If the supplier describes the material as naturally derived, request production-route and raw-material records supporting that description.
For food flavouring, check the flavouring register and its terms of authorisation. For a supplement proposal, verify whether the product falls under novel-food rules before sale; novel foods need authorisation before being placed on the Great Britain market. Do not treat a flavouring specification as evidence that a supplement use is permitted.
For chemical supply, classification is the responsibility of suppliers, including importers. Review the available hazard information and agree handling and transport arrangements for the actual material. Use testing and certification support to define the evidence needed for your intended application.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 20 kg of raspberry ketone in sealed inner packs, illustrative only under 2914 50 00 40, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £860 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,360. Duty at 4% is £134.40. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,494.40, so it is £698.88. Import taxes total £833.28; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £134.40 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: match the purchase specification, package labels and batch certificate to raspberry ketone and its CAS number; check for declared carriers or added ingredients.
Analysis: compare assay, impurities, moisture and residual solvents with the agreed specification; commission independent checks on a representative batch sample.
Application: compare aroma, colour and behaviour in your actual formulation with the approved sample; investigate differences before releasing the batch.
Packaging: check inner seals, liners, contamination, moisture ingress and batch identification; retain a sample and photographs linked to the delivery.
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What goes wrong
A raspberry aroma blend can be supplied against an order for the named substance. A certificate can describe a different batch, or report assay without explaining the method or impurities. Moisture, contamination or inconsistent particle form can also make material difficult to use. Hold discrepancies for investigation and compare an independent sample with the purchase specification.
Another failure is ordering material before deciding whether it will be used as a flavouring, fragrance ingredient or supplement. Establish the intended use and supporting evidence before purchase. Keep food-use checks separate from the tariff suspension: a reduced duty rate does not establish suitability for your application.
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 raspberry ketone from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 4% under 2914 50 00 40, with an autonomous suspension to 0.00 % for the named substance. The suspension excludes mixtures and preparations.
Does raspberry ketone flavouring approval cover supplements?
Check the proposed supplement separately. Food businesses must verify novel-food status before marketing; novel foods require authorisation before sale in Great Britain.
What documents should I ask the factory for?
Request the specification, batch certificate of analysis, analytical methods, composition and available safety information. Ask for production-route records if naturally derived material is specified.
How do I check that the shipment matches the sample?
Match batch identities, test a representative delivery sample against the agreed specification, and compare aroma, colour and performance in your formulation before releasing it.