Sourcing Shirataki Noodles from China
For shirataki noodles classified in heading 1902, standard UK duty is 6% plus £8.10 to £20 per 100 kg; a conditional 0% suspension is listed. Confirm the recipe and suspension eligibility before ordering, and label liquid-packed noodles with drained net weight. Cambridge China Bridge sources shirataki noodles.
Shirataki classification and conditional suspension
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 1902 covers pasta and noodles, including cooked and otherwise prepared products. The selected lines are possible routes for shirataki recipes, subject to classification confirmation. Their standard duties are 6% plus £8.10 or £20 per 100 kg. Each lists a 0% autonomous suspension, but its footnote excludes mixtures, preparations or products made up of different components containing these products. Do not assume a blended recipe qualifies. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is recorded.
The selected lines carry organic and genetically modified organism import controls; several also carry veterinary control. For organic claims and rice-containing recipes from China, the UK Trade Tariff attaches these controls and the importer should confirm the applicable documents and clearance requirements with their customs broker. If the recipe includes animal ingredients, ask the relevant authority or your customs broker to confirm whether composite-product rules apply, including any approved-country checks, certification, pre-notification, border checks or exemptions relevant to the recipe and processing.
Give your broker the complete recipe, manufacturing process, dried or liquid-packed presentation and any seasoning sachets when confirming the commodity code. The table is not a classification ruling for every konjac product. See the pasta, noodles and dumplings guide for the wider heading. The illustrative order assumes suspension eligibility has been confirmed; otherwise its selected line carries compound duty.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uncooked noodles without eggs, common wheat or rice | 1902 19 10 90 | 6% + £20.00 per 100 kg | None |
| Other prepared noodles, dried, without rice | 1902 30 10 80 | 6% + £20.00 per 100 kg | None |
| Other prepared noodles, not dried, containing rice | 1902 30 90 20 | 6% + £8.10 per 100 kg | None |
| Other prepared noodles, not dried, without rice | 1902 30 90 90 | 6% + £8.10 per 100 kg | None |
Specify the recipe, liquid and noodle texture
Specify konjac content, added starch or rice flour, tofu or other ingredients, processing aids, packing liquid and any seasoning sachets. Agree noodle thickness, length, colour, firmness after rinsing and cooking, and acceptable odour against an approved sample. Distinguish liquid-packed noodles from dried blends in the purchase specification.
Agree net and drained weights, pouch material, seal design, opening method, storage conditions and shelf-life evidence for the actual recipe and pack. Confirm food business registration and English labelling requirements with the relevant food authority, including ingredients and allergen emphasis, net quantity, dates, storage and a UK address, before approving the artwork. Solid foods packed in liquid must also show drained net weight.
Inspection checklist
Recipe: compare the batch ingredient record and sachet contents with the approved formula, including rice and animal ingredients.
Weights: weigh unopened packs, then drain using the agreed method and compare noodle weight with the declared drained weight.
Seals: inspect pouch seams and closures for trapped strands, leaks, swelling and damage; check cartons for wet patches.
Texture and labels: rinse and cook samples as instructed, compare firmness and odour with the approved sample, and check English artwork, allergens, dates and storage instructions.
What goes wrong
A pouch can meet its total weight while containing less noodle and more liquid than agreed. Strands trapped in the seal can cause leakage, while a changed formula can alter texture and leave labels inconsistent with production. Hold leaking, swollen or abnormal-smelling packs for investigation rather than accepting them on appearance alone.
A supplier's zero-duty assumption can also fail when classification or the suspension footnote is overlooked. Settle the recipe and broker's checks before dispatch, then keep arrival findings against the approved sample and batch records. Use the inspection guide to define the inspection brief.
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 shirataki noodles from China?
The selected heading 1902 lines have standard duty of 6% plus £8.10 or £20 per 100 kg and list a conditional 0% suspension. Confirm classification and the exclusion for mixtures and preparations before costing.
Do wet shirataki pouches need a drained weight?
Yes. Solid foods packed in liquid must show drained net weight. Agree the draining method for inspection so packing liquid does not hide a shortage of noodles.
What should I check before importing organic shirataki?
Ask your broker and organic control body to confirm certification and inspection-certificate requirements for China-to-GB imports. The inspection certificate is issued by the exporter's control body in the country of export.
Does added rice or tofu matter when buying shirataki?
Yes. Record every ingredient rather than relying on the product name. Added rice affects the tariff subdivision and control checks; tofu changes the recipe and allergen review. Approve the full formula before ordering.