Sourcing walnuts and pine nuts from China

Rates by nut

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 26 September 2026, walnuts and chestnuts of heading 0802, in shell or shelled, carried 4% duty on goods from China, pine nuts 2%, hazelnuts and macadamia nuts 2%, and pistachios and pecans 0%, with no anti-dumping measure. Shelled pine nuts have an autonomous suspension to 0% until 30 June 2027, shelled macadamias a claimed suspension to 0% until 31 December 2028, and sweet almonds in shell 0% until 31 December 2026; none covers mixtures. Re-checked on 27 September 2026 across all 20 leaves: shelled sweet almonds (0802 12 90 00, 2%) are also suspended to 0% until 31 December 2026, macadamias in shell (0802 61 00 00) as well as shelled to 31 December 2028, bitter almonds, Brazil nuts at 2%, kola and areca nuts and pecans at 0%.

Roasted, salted, coated or mixed nuts are prepared nuts in heading 2008, with higher rates; see the prepared nuts and fruit guide, and confirm the commodity code.

Aflatoxins and food law

Assimilated Regulation 1881/2006 sets aflatoxin limits for tree nuts other than almonds, pistachios, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts and apricot kernels: 2.0 µg/kg of aflatoxin B1 and 4.0 µg/kg in total for nuts intended for direct human consumption, and 5.0 and 10.0 µg/kg for nuts that will be sorted or otherwise treated first. Lots over the limit cannot be blended down, so sampling at origin matters.

At the time of reading, the tariff showed no high-risk food import control on walnuts, chestnuts or pine nuts from China, unlike Chinese groundnuts, but the list in assimilated Regulation 2019/1793 is reviewed regularly. Walnuts and the other nuts specified in the allergen rules must be emphasised in ingredient lists; chestnuts and pine nuts are not included and must not be emphasised as regulated allergens. Plain nuts are zero-rated for VAT.

Worked duty example

Made-up figures for illustration only: 10 tonnes of light walnut halves under 0802 32 00 00, bought for £55,000 free on board with £2,500 of freight and insurance, so the customs value is £57,500. Duty at 4% is £2,300. Plain shelled nuts are zero-rated food for VAT, so no import VAT is due and the duty is the whole border cost. The same value of shelled pine nuts under 0802 92 00 00 would pay no duty while the suspension runs. The duty and VAT guide walks through the calculation.

What goes wrong

Nuts fail on aflatoxin, rancidity and grade. Walnuts and pine nuts dried or stored badly grow mould and exceed the aflatoxin limit, oil-rich kernels go rancid in warm containers, and colour grades such as light halves are padded with darker pieces and broken kernels. Shell fragments, insect damage and moisture above the contract figure are the common inspection faults, and pine nuts are sometimes mixed across species.

Specify the grade, kernel size, colour, broken percentage and moisture in the contract, test a sample from each lot in an accredited laboratory for aflatoxins before shipment, check peroxide value and free fatty acids for rancidity, use vacuum or nitrogen-flushed packs and reefer containers in hot months, and count defects on a drawn sample at inspection. Discuss reefer containers for hot months when comparing shipping walnuts and pine nuts from China to the UK.

Cambridge China Bridge sources walnuts, pine nuts, chestnuts and other tree nuts, with aflatoxin tests and grades agreed before shipment. Read how our food sourcing works.