Sourcing ylang-ylang essential oil from China

UK duty on ylang-ylang essential oil

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 October 2026, heading 3301 covers essential oils, including ylang-ylang oil, and related extraction products. Undeterpenated ylang-ylang oil is listed under 3301 29 11 00; deterpenated oil under 3301 29 31 00. The related by-product and aqueous-product rows are separate goods, rather than alternative codes for pure oil.

The selected lines carry 0% duty on goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing measure or suspension. The tariff attaches an organic import control: confirm its application and documentation with your customs broker and organic control body. The related by-product and aqueous-product lines also carry CITES import and export controls; confirm their application with your broker. The mercury measure shown is an export control.

Ask the supplier to state whether the oil is deterpenated and disclose any dilution or added fragrance. Fragrance mixtures and finished cosmetic preparations need separate classification checks. Confirm the commodity code, and use the lavender essential oil guide for wider heading context.

Specify the ylang-ylang oil and its intended use

Record the botanical identity, flower origin, distillation location and the supplier's exact distillation grade. Ask whether the material is a collected fraction or a combined oil, and whether terpenes have been removed. Agree an undiluted specification or identify every addition. A supplier's grade name alone is insufficient to match repeat batches.

Set acceptance criteria for the chromatographic profile, relative density, refractive index, colour and odour against an approved retained sample. Request batch analysis, allergen composition and an English safety data sheet. Chemical suppliers are responsible for hazard classification. Confirm applicable hazard-label and safety data sheet requirements for supply to business customers with HSE.

State whether you are buying a fragrance ingredient or a finished cosmetic product. For finished cosmetics, confirm requirements for a UK-established Responsible Person, a product information file, a safety assessment and notification with the relevant product safety authority before sale. Test the oil in your intended base before approving bulk production.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 200 kg of undiluted ylang-ylang essential oil under 3301 29 11 00, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,600. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,600, so it is £1,320. 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: match the batch code, botanical identity and distillation grade to the purchase specification and analysis report; compare a retained sample by gas chromatography.

Consistency: check colour, odour, relative density and refractive index against agreed acceptance criteria; investigate differences before releasing the batch.

Packing: inspect containers for leaks, damaged closures and broken tamper seals; check net contents and compatibility of the container with the oil.

Paperwork: match the labels, English safety data sheet and allergen information to the supplied material; check the transport classification with the forwarder.

What goes wrong

A sample and the bulk delivery can have different distillation grades or compositions while sharing the same product name. Dilution or added fragrance may escape a smell check. Require approval for changes to grade, origin or processing, and compare batch reports with independently tested retained samples.

Warm storage, unsuitable containers and poor closures can leave oil oxidised or leaking. Generic safety paperwork can describe a different material. Hold discrepant stock while the supplier explains the difference, and arrange testing and certification support where laboratory evidence is needed.

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.