Sourcing sea urchin roe from China
The supplied sea urchin lines all carry 10% duty from China. However, China is absent from the approved list for echinoderms, so sea urchin roe for human consumption cannot be imported from China into Great Britain. Cambridge China Bridge checks whether a product can be imported before any order is placed.
10% tariff, but China is not an approved origin
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 0308 covers aquatic invertebrates other than crustaceans and molluscs. This guide concerns separated sea urchin roe. The supplied sea urchin lines distinguish fresh or chilled, frozen and other forms. Fresh and chilled examples share a code; the table does not establish import permission.
All supplied sea urchin lines carry 10% duty for goods from China. No anti-dumping duty, countervailing duty or suspension is recorded. The tariff attaches veterinary, organic and illegal fishing controls. Confirm the veterinary documents, including the Common Health Entry Document, with your customs broker. Ask the broker or port health authority to confirm catch-certificate applicability and any aquaculture exemption. Confirm any certificate-of-inspection requirement for organic food from China with the relevant authority or your customs broker.
China is absent from the approved echinoderm origin list, so food-use sea urchin roe cannot be imported from China into Great Britain. A tariff rate or general fishery establishment approval does not overcome this restriction. Confirm species, separation and processing with your broker using the commodity code guide. Seasoned or otherwise prepared roe needs separate classification checking. See the wider aquatic invertebrate guide for the heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh sea urchin roe, subject to classification confirmation | 0308 21 00 00 | 10% | None |
| Frozen sea urchin roe, subject to classification confirmation | 0308 22 00 00 | 10% | None |
| Salted sea urchin roe, subject to classification confirmation | 0308 29 00 00 | 10% | None |
Specify roe form, firmness and treatment
Establish the origin restriction before commissioning production for Great Britain. For supplier assessment, specify scientific species, separated roe rather than whole sea urchins, fresh or frozen condition, intact lobes or broken pieces, colour and firmness. Describe the intended use, such as presentation on a dish or incorporation into a sauce.
Agree usable weight excluding packing liquid or ice, the draining method, permitted variation in appearance and the handling needed after thawing. Ask for the complete ingredient and treatment declaration, including salt and any firming treatment. Compare samples after the preparation your kitchen will actually use.
For any permitted supply from an approved origin, agree storage instructions, pack seals, batch identification and laboratory checks with the supplier. Food business operators are responsible for ensuring that products do not pose a health risk to the public.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative small wholesale batch of frozen sea urchin roe; tariff arithmetic only, not an importable order from China under 0308 22 00 00, invoiced at £16,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £17,500. Duty at 10% is £1,750. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £19,250, so it is £3,850. Import taxes total £5,600; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,750 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: match species, origin, separated roe form and batch markings against the specification and supporting documents.
Usable weight: drain or remove ice using the agreed method, then compare the edible product with the declared quantity.
Condition: check colour, intact lobes, firmness, liquid loss, foreign matter and signs of thawing against the approved sample.
Treatment and packs: compare ingredients and treatment declarations with the specification; check seals, storage instructions, temperature records and relevant laboratory results.
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What goes wrong
The main mistake is treating the available tariff code as permission to import. China is not on the approved echinoderm origin list. Check eligibility before paying for production; a supplier's general seafood approval does not establish approval for sea urchin roe.
For supplier assessment or permitted stock from another origin, attractive samples can conceal broken lobes, excessive liquid or poor texture after thawing. A firmer appearance can also reflect treatment that differs from the specification. Retain an approved sample and assess usable weight and texture after preparation. The inspection guide explains how to organise checks.
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 sea urchin roe from China?
The supplied sea urchin lines carry 10%, with no recorded anti-dumping duty, countervailing duty or suspension. This tariff rate does not permit food-use imports from China into Great Britain.
Can I import Chinese sea urchin roe into Great Britain?
No, for human consumption. China is absent from the approved origin list for echinoderms, which covers chilled, frozen and processed forms. Check eligibility before ordering.
Does seasoned sea urchin roe use the same commodity code?
Do not assume so. Give your broker the scientific species, complete ingredients and processing description, and ask them to confirm classification separately from import eligibility.
How do I check sea urchin roe quality?
For supplier assessment or permitted stock, compare usable weight, intact lobes, colour, firmness and liquid loss with the approved sample. Assess frozen roe after the agreed thawing method.