Sourcing whey protein isolate from China
Listed whey protein lines range from 0% for goods unfit for human consumption to £103 per 100 kg for dried food-grade isolate. Food-grade whey protein isolate from China cannot be imported into Great Britain under the dairy prohibition. Cambridge China Bridge checks whether a product can be imported before any order is placed.
Tariff rates do not establish import permission
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 3502 includes concentrates of two or more whey proteins containing more than 80% whey proteins by weight on the dry matter. This guide concerns whey protein isolate. The supplied data contains only the milk-albumin lines relevant to this family; see the wider albumins guide.
For goods from China, dried food-grade material under 3502 20 91 00 carries £103 per 100 kg; other food-grade forms under 3502 20 99 00 carry £13 per 100 kg. Material unfit, or to be rendered unfit, for human consumption carries 0%. These lines show no anti-dumping or countervailing duties and no suspensions. All attach veterinary control. The importer should confirm the applicable requirement with their customs broker.
The official guidance prohibits dairy products from China entering Great Britain, regardless of their original source. A tariff rate does not override this prohibition. Confirm composition, physical form and intended use before selecting the commodity code. Do not classify food-grade powder as unfit for human consumption merely to obtain a different rate.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dried whey protein isolate for human consumption | 3502 20 91 00 | £103.00 per 100 kg | None |
| Other whey protein isolate for human consumption | 3502 20 99 00 | £13.00 per 100 kg | None |
| Whey proteins unfit, or to be rendered unfit, for human consumption | 3502 20 10 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the isolate and establish feasibility
For a proposed food ingredient, resolve import feasibility before requesting production. Official guidance states that dairy products from China are prohibited even when the milk originally came from an approved country. A Chinese factory using imported milk therefore does not resolve the restriction.
For technical assessment, request the full ingredient list, dry-matter protein result, analytical method, moisture, lactose, fat, ash, solubility and microbiological results. State whether the material is plain or contains flavourings, sweeteners or other ingredients. Agree packaging, batch identification and retained samples. These are purchasing specifications, not an assurance of import permission.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative non-food consignment only; values omitted because invented prices are prohibited under 3502 20 10 00, invoiced at £0 free on board, with £0 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £0. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £0, so it is £0. 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: compare the ingredient declaration, factory records and batch analysis with the agreed whey protein isolate specification.
Composition: check the basis of the protein result and compare moisture, lactose, fat and ash against the purchase specification.
Performance: assess dissolution, clumping, odour and flavour using the buyer's intended formulation.
Packing: check seals, moisture damage and matching batch identifiers. For any separately confirmed lawful supply, agree the checks before dispatch and on arrival.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
The main purchasing failure is treating a listed commodity code, duty rate or supplier certificate as permission to import. The dairy prohibition applies regardless of where the milk originally came from. Resolve that issue before placing an order.
Technical disputes arise when protein results use different moisture bases, a blended powder is supplied as plain isolate, or the powder dissolves differently in the buyer's recipe. Agree the test method and retain a reference sample. Use factory verification to investigate production records.
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 whey protein isolate from China?
Dried food-grade isolate carries £103 per 100 kg; other food-grade forms £13 per 100 kg; material unfit for human consumption 0%. These rates do not permit prohibited dairy imports.
Can I import Chinese whey protein isolate into Great Britain?
Food-grade whey protein isolate is a dairy product. Official guidance prohibits dairy products from China, regardless of where they originally came from.
Does using imported milk in China avoid the prohibition?
No. Official guidance says the dairy prohibition applies regardless of origin and specifically discusses milk sourced from an approved country.
What should I request from a whey protein isolate factory?
Request the ingredient list, batch analysis, protein reporting basis and method, moisture, lactose, fat, ash and solubility results. Resolve import feasibility before ordering.