Sourcing wooden honey dippers from China
Wooden honey dippers from China carry 0% UK import duty across the relevant heading 4419 lines, with no anti-dumping duty recorded. Confirm the applicable food contact rules for wood and finishes with the relevant authority; check the species for CITES controls before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources wooden honey dippers.
Zero duty, with classification by material
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 4419 covers wooden tableware and kitchenware. The relevant honey dipper lines carry 0% duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions recorded. Ordinary non-tropical wooden dippers fall within the other-wood category; tropical wood and bamboo have separate lines.
The tariff attaches CITES import and export controls to 4419 90 00 00. Check the exact species and whether the finished dipper is covered. For a covered CITES specimen entering Great Britain from China, apply for the relevant UK permit and contact the Chinese management authority for the corresponding export documentation. The tariff also lists a cultural objects export licence control; ask your customs broker to confirm its relevance to your transaction.
Confirm the species, construction and finish before checking the commodity code. Do not classify by the supplier's description of wooden kitchenware alone. The wooden and bamboo kitchenware guide covers the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honey dippers of other non-tropical wood | 4419 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Honey dippers of specified tropical wood | 4419 20 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Honey dippers of other tropical wood | 4419 20 90 00 | 0% | None |
| Bamboo honey dippers | 4419 19 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the grooved head, handle and finish
Agree the wood species, overall length, head diameter, groove profile and handle shape against an approved sample. Check that the head fits the intended honey jar opening and that the handle remains easy to grip. State whether the dipper is turned from solid wood or assembled, and identify any adhesive, oil, wax or lacquer.
Confirm with the relevant authority the applicable requirements concerning substance transfer from wood and finishes that touch honey. Ask for the finish and adhesive specifications and migration testing on finished samples, as explained in the food contact guide. Agree moisture control, surface smoothness and care instructions. Test any dishwasher-safe claim before printing it.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order, not a quote: 5,000 wooden honey dippers under 4419 90 00 00, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £10,200. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £10,200, so it is £2,040. 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
Grooves: check depth and spacing against the sample, remove trapped sanding dust, and run a cloth around the grooves to detect splinters.
Handle and head: check straightness, grain direction, cracks and any joint. Try the dipper in the intended jar and test honey pickup and release.
Finish: compare the coating with the agreed specification, check for tackiness and colour transfer, and assess odour after an agreed soak-and-dry trial.
Arrival and packing: record sampled moisture readings and check for mould, damp wrapping, crushed heads and broken handles. Keep affected cartons identifiable for the inspection record.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
Deep grooves can conceal rough fibres and sanding dust even when the outside looks smooth. Poor grain direction or a narrow neck can leave the head vulnerable to cracking. Heavy coating can bridge the grooves, feel sticky and change how the dipper holds honey.
Damp wood sealed in wrapping can develop mould during transport. Agree drying and packing conditions before dispatch, compare production samples with the approved dipper, and inspect incoming stock before mixing it with saleable goods.
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 wooden honey dippers from China?
The relevant heading 4419 lines carry 0% duty in the supplied tariff record. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is recorded. Import VAT is separate.
Do wooden honey dippers need food contact checks?
Yes. Check the wood, finish and any adhesive. Ask for their specifications and migration testing on finished samples, rather than relying on a general food-safe claim.
Do wooden honey dippers need CITES permits?
Check the species and whether the finished article is covered. Covered CITES specimens entering Great Britain need the relevant documentation; confirm with the authorities and your customs broker before ordering.
What should I check when honey dippers arrive?
Check groove smoothness, sanding dust, cracked necks, loose heads, sticky finishes, odour and mould. Compare jar fit and honey pickup with the approved sample.