Sourcing transglutaminase enzyme from China
Transglutaminase preparations classified under the residual enzyme line carry 0% UK duty from China. Food-enzyme rules apply to food use, and the veterinary-control flag needs checking against the full formulation and origin. Cambridge China Bridge sources transglutaminase enzyme.
Zero duty, with a veterinary-control flag
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 3507 covers enzymes and prepared enzymes not elsewhere specified or included. The residual line, 3507 90 90 90, carries 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no listed suspension. The table shows preparation forms against this same residual line, subject to classification of the actual formulation.
The UK Trade Tariff attaches Veterinary control to this line. Confirm its application and the required documents with your customs broker before shipping. Animal products for human consumption can only enter Great Britain from approved countries and establishments. Obtain the enzyme source and every carrier ingredient; ask the broker and port health authority to assess the complete Chinese preparation.
Food use falls under food-enzyme rules; confirm the enzyme and intended use with the Food Standards Agency before ordering. Give your broker the composition, production source and intended use to confirm the commodity code. See the wider enzymes guide for other enzyme families.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transglutaminase enzyme powder | 3507 90 90 90 | 0% | None |
Specify activity, carriers and binding performance
Specify transglutaminase activity using an agreed unit and assay method, with the measurement temperature and acidity recorded. Name the production strain, carrier ingredients and their proportions. Ask for a batch certificate of analysis covering activity, microbiology and agreed contaminant limits. Compare preparations on activity delivered to your process, rather than powder weight alone.
Trial the preparation with your own protein ingredients. Agree the mixing method, dose, holding conditions and the binding or texture result you will accept. Record unopened and opened-pack storage instructions, moisture protection and packing material. Arrange testing support where your laboratory cannot reproduce the supplier's assay.
The Food Standards Agency says the domestic food-enzyme list is not yet established. Ask it to confirm the treatment of your intended use. Investigate any milk-derived carrier before ordering: official guidance states that dairy products from China are prohibited from import into Great Britain, regardless of where they originated. Have port health assess whether that restriction affects the preparation.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 5 tonnes of transglutaminase preparation with starch carrier under 3507 90 90 90, invoiced at £22,000 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £23,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £23,800, so it is £4,760. With no duty, the only import tax is the VAT, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: check the formulation, production strain and carrier declaration against the approved sample and purchase specification.
Activity: test a retained arrival sample using the agreed assay, then repeat the binding or texture trial with your own ingredients.
Batch documents: match the certificate of analysis to the delivered lot and check the agreed microbiology and contaminant results.
Packing: check seals, moisture ingress, caking, lot identification and storage instructions before releasing the stock.
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What goes wrong
Preparations can give different results despite similar powder descriptions. A changed carrier or assay method makes activity comparisons unreliable; a successful supplier trial may not reproduce with your protein ingredients. Moisture, damaged seals and unsuitable storage can also undermine the result. Retain the approved formulation and test arrival samples before production use.
A microbial-source declaration does not describe every ingredient in a blended preparation. Missing carrier information can leave the veterinary-control question unresolved. Obtain the full formulation and settle import eligibility before dispatch, particularly where milk-derived ingredients are proposed.
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 transglutaminase from China?
The supplied tariff data gives 0% for residual enzyme line 3507 90 90 90, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure. Confirm classification of the full preparation; the line carries Veterinary control.
Can I use Chinese transglutaminase in food production?
Confirm the preparation and intended use with the Food Standards Agency before ordering. Food-enzyme rules apply, and a supplier's food-grade description does not settle how your use is treated.
Does microbial transglutaminase avoid veterinary checks?
Do not decide from the enzyme source alone. Give your customs broker the full formulation and origins, including carriers, and confirm how the tariff's Veterinary control applies.
How should I check transglutaminase strength?
Agree the activity unit, assay method and measurement conditions. Test an arrival sample with that method and trial the preparation with your own protein ingredients.