Sourcing sturgeon caviar from China
Sturgeon caviar from China carries 20% UK duty, with no suspension or trade remedy in the supplied tariff facts. Commercial imports need CITES permits alongside food import checks. Confirm the species, establishment approval and shipment documents before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources sturgeon caviar.
Sturgeon caviar: 20% UK duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, sturgeon caviar under 1604 31 00 00 carried 20% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. Heading 1604 also covers prepared fish and caviar substitutes. The table shows pack formats sharing the supplied caviar line. See the prepared fish guide for the wider heading.
The tariff attaches veterinary, CITES import and export, illegal-fishing and organic import controls. Ask your customs broker to confirm establishment approval requirements, advance notification and applicable border checks. Ask your customs broker to confirm the risk category, health certification, animal-product entry document and illegal-fishing requirements for the exact shipment. For organic claims, confirm the inspection certificate and certification arrangements with your broker and organic control body.
Commercial CITES movements into or out of Great Britain require permits. Obtain the corresponding Chinese export documentation as well as the British import permit; check export or re-export requirements before onward overseas sales. Freight fishery imports must enter through a suitably designated border control post. Confirm the commodity code using the species, ingredients and processing details.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sturgeon caviar in retail tins | 1604 31 00 00 | 20% | None |
Specify the species, roe and storage conditions
Specify the sturgeon species or hybrid, farm origin, processing establishment and batch identification. Agree egg size, colour, firmness, salt content and acceptable broken eggs against a retained sample. Record the complete recipe, including preservatives, and whether the product is pasteurised.
Agree tin or jar format, net weight, closure, transport temperature, storage instructions and remaining shelf life on arrival. Ask for evidence supporting shelf life and a batch testing plan covering microbiology and chemical residues. Have your broker check the China-specific import conditions and any accompanying residue declaration before shipment.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative wholesale order of sealed sturgeon caviar tins; values are illustrative, not a quotation under 1604 31 00 00, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £34,000. Duty at 20% is £6,800. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £40,800, so it is £8,160. Import taxes total £14,960; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £6,800 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
Documents: match the species, establishment, batch and quantity across the order, permits, shipment documents and container markings.
Containers: check the non-reusable CITES label on each primary container. If the label does not seal it, the packaging must show visible evidence of opening. Inspect leaks, swelling, damaged lids and disturbed seals.
Cold chain and contents: review transport temperature records against the agreed conditions. Check sampled net weight, egg integrity, liquid separation and colour against the specification; investigate suspect packs before tasting.
Food labels: check the food name, ingredients, allergens, net weight, storage instructions and UK business address. Match the batch identification to the supplier records before releasing stock.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A supplier's trade name does not establish the species or legal origin. Permit details and container labels can disagree, or a shipment can be booked through an unsuitable entry point. Resolve document discrepancies before dispatch and have the broker confirm that the route accommodates the applicable controls.
Warm transit, weak closures and changes in salting or pasteurisation can leave soft eggs, excessive liquid or a different flavour from the sample. Agree acceptance criteria before production, retain samples and isolate leaking, swollen or temperature-compromised packs for investigation.
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 sturgeon caviar from China?
The supplied tariff facts show 20% duty under 1604 31 00 00, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension.
Do business imports of caviar need CITES permits?
Yes. Commercial CITES movements into Great Britain require a permit. Obtain the corresponding Chinese export documentation and match the species and shipment details.
Does farmed caviar avoid all import controls?
No. Confirm CITES documentation, establishment approval and food import requirements. Ask your broker to check illegal-fishing applicability and China-specific conditions for the exact product.
What should I check when caviar arrives?
Check permits against container markings, seals, temperature records, batch identification and net weight. Compare sampled contents with the agreed specification and isolate suspect packs.