Sourcing still white grape wine from China
The selected white-wine lines carry £10.00 to £15.00 per hectolitre, depending on classification; the ordinary-strength lines shown carry £10.00. Alcohol Duty is separate. Check wine labels and organic certification before shipping. Cambridge China Bridge sources still white grape wine.
Buying from China for a business? How our UK China sourcing agent service works · China sourcing agent for small orders and first imports
Specific customs duty, plus Alcohol Duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 2204 covers wine of fresh grapes, including fortified wine, and certain grape must. This guide concerns still white grape wine. The ordinary-strength Chinese-origin lines shown carry £10.00 per hectolitre. The protected-origin white-wine line above 15% and up to 18% carries £15.00; use it only where the wine qualifies for that description.
The selected lines show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. They attach an organic-products import control. Ask your customs broker to confirm whether an inspection certificate is required for release as organic; the exporter’s control body issues that certificate. Confirm the China shipment’s certification and clearance arrangements with your customs broker. Alcohol Duty is separate from customs duty.
Confirm container capacity, actual alcoholic strength, varietal status and any protected designation before choosing the commodity code. The supplied relevant lines use specific duties, so a percentage-duty worked example is unavailable. Any order values supplied are illustrative only. See the wider wine guide and duty and VAT guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other varietal white wine, containers up to 2 litres, strength up to 13% | 2204 21 95 11 | £10.00 per hl | None |
| Other white wine, containers over 2 to 10 litres, strength over 13% to 15% | 2204 22 97 20 | £10.00 per hl | None |
| Other bulk white wine, strength over 13% to 15% | 2204 29 97 20 | £10.00 per hl | None |
| Protected-origin white wine, containers up to 2 litres, strength over 15% to 18% | 2204 21 93 31 | £15.00 per hl | None |
Specify the wine and bottling batch
Specify grape variety or blend, growing region, vintage where requested, sweetness, acidity, alcoholic strength, colour and aroma against an approved sample. Agree sulphite analysis, any milk or egg fining agents, filtration, bottle or bulk format, closure and carton dividers.
Wine imported to the UK must comply with wine-labelling rules. Arrange a label review before printing, including alcoholic strength, net quantity, business details and allergen information. Ask HMRC to confirm whether your UK-established alcohol wholesale business needs approval or falls within an exclusion. Direct imports from China into Northern Ireland require an EU VI-1 pro-forma; settle the destination before ordering.
Inspection checklist
Wine: compare arrival samples with the approved sample for browning, oxidation, unexpected cloudiness, sediment and unwanted fizz.
Analysis: match the batch certificate to the shipment and check alcoholic strength, residual sugar, acidity and sulphites against the agreed specification.
Labels: compare every variant with the reviewed artwork and check that batch identification matches the bottles, cartons and analysis.
Packing: inspect glass, fill levels, cork or screw-cap condition, leakage, stained cartons and dividers. Record findings before releasing stock; see quality inspection.
What goes wrong
A sample can taste acceptable while the shipped batch is oxidised, sweeter or visibly different. Heat exposure, poor closures and weak carton dividers can turn an acceptable bottling run into leaking or broken stock. Keep an approved sample and agree how arrival defects will be assessed.
Classification errors arise when bottle size, strength or designation differs from the paperwork. Ask your customs broker to confirm the certification needed for any organic claims. Check the product, artwork and shipment documents together, and include Alcohol Duty when assessing landed cost.
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 still white wine from China?
The ordinary-strength lines shown carry £10.00 per hectolitre. The listed protected-origin white wine above 15% and up to 18% carries £15.00. Alcohol Duty is separate.
Does imported white wine also pay Alcohol Duty?
Yes. Imported alcohol becomes liable when it arrives in the UK. Agree any approved duty-suspension arrangements with your customs agent before dispatch.
What paperwork does organic white wine need?
Ask your customs broker to confirm whether an inspection certificate is required for release as organic. The certificate is issued by the exporter’s control body. Confirm the shipment arrangements with your broker.
What should I check when the wine arrives?
Check taste and colour against the approved sample, batch analysis, labels, fill levels, closures, leakage and broken glass. Investigate unexpected cloudiness or fizz before releasing stock.