Sourcing unformulated collagen from China

Duty and import eligibility

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 3504 covers peptones, other protein substances and their derivatives, and hide powder. Unformulated hydrolysed collagen is a candidate for 3504 00 90 99. The table shows different source materials under the same candidate code, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.

The supplied tariff lists 2% duty for Chinese goods, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure. The suspension on this line covers zein, not collagen. Veterinary and organic import controls are attached. Animal-origin goods from China for food or feed are prohibited unless a listed exception applies. The official list includes substances used as or in food supplements; do not assume that every collagen ingredient qualifies.

Give the broker the species, source tissue, manufacturing process, full composition and intended use to confirm the commodity code. For food collagen, check species-specific country eligibility and an approved establishment; confirm any health certification and pre-notification requirements with the Animal and Plant Health Agency. Confirm the exact veterinary documents and any organic certificate with the broker. See the wider protein-heading guide.

Specify the collagen source and performance

State the animal species and tissue, whether the material is powder or liquid, and its intended food, supplement or cosmetic use. Request the complete composition and confirmation of any carriers, flavours or other additions. Keep the purchase specification focused on unformulated collagen.

Agree protein content and test method, peptide molecular-weight distribution, moisture, ash, particle size and bulk density. Specify solubility under your actual mixing conditions, colour and odour against a retained sample. Request batch results for microbiological quality and heavy metals, with acceptance criteria agreed before production.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative bulk order: 2 tonnes, conditional on confirmed import eligibility under 3504 00 90 99, invoiced at £16,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £18,000. Duty at 2% is £360. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £18,360, so it is £3,672. Import taxes total £4,032; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £360 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: match the species, source tissue, producer and batch on the bags, specification and analysis report.

Condition: inspect seals and liners for damage, moisture ingress, clumping and foreign material.

Performance: compare dissolution, colour and odour with the retained sample using the agreed mixing procedure.

Batch evidence: reconcile received stock with the shipment documents and arrange independent testing against the purchase specification.

What goes wrong

A supplier's description of food grade does not establish import eligibility. For ordinary food or feed use, a product outside the permitted China exceptions cannot be imported into Great Britain. Ask the Animal and Plant Health Agency to confirm the route for the precise material and use before committing to an order. If an organic claim is made, confirm any certificate of inspection requirements with the relevant authority or customs broker.

Powder can match a headline protein result yet differ in peptide distribution, odour or dissolution. Moisture ingress causes clumping, and batch substitutions make sample approval unreliable. Keep the approved sample and batch specification, and use testing and certification support to investigate discrepancies.

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.