Spices bring our favorite dishes to life, from simple spices like black pepper to more exotic spices like cumin and ginger. Thanks to the global shipping industry, cultures from all over the world can share their unique spices.
Importing and exporting spices can be a difficult process if you haven’t done it before. The good news is, a little research can help you import spices without all the hassle. Check out this guide to learn how to export and import spices internationally.
The spice trade is a multi-billion dollar industry that’s driven by culinary trends, flavor diversity and health benefits. Major spice exporting regions include India, Vietnam and Indonesia, while the United States, Europe and the Middle East are heavy spice importers.
Spices are regulated as agricultural commodities, which means they’re usually subject to plant quarantine rules and food-safety inspections at borders.
Common spice shipping challenges include adulteration, moisture control and maintaining aroma and flavor.
Harmonized System (HS) codes have a six-digit international base code, and individual countries add additional digits to provide more detail. Examples include black pepper (HS 0904.11), cumin seeds (HS 0909.21) and turmeric (HS 0910.10).
You can look these codes up on national tariff schedules or WTO’s Tariff & Trade Data platform. Using accurate codes is essential when it comes to calculating duties and clearing customs.
Spices are broken down into several major categories, including:
Codex grade parameters are based on moisture content limits, maximum extraneous matter, allowable insect fragments and aroma and color standards. These grades affect market price and buyer trust, and grades must be specified on certificates and labels.
Several organizations are responsible for governing global spice trade. The World Trade Organization (WTO) sets the framework for tariffs, trade barriers and dispute resolution. ICC’s Incoterms are the global standard for defining delivery points, risk transfer and cost allocation.
Codex Alimentarius Commission creates international food-safety benchmarks that are adopted by national authorities.
Major regulators in the U.S. include the Food and Drug Administration (DFA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
Discrepancies between documentation and actual shipment contents can lead to delays or fines. Here’s a breakdown of each piece of documentation:
Using a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) certificate of origin can help you claim tariff preferences to reduce import costs.
Phytosanitary certificates are issued by plant-health authorities to confirm your spices are pest- and disease-free.
When trading labeled organic spices, it’s important to have valid organic certification. Organic certification bodies include the USDA NOP and EU Organic.
Common Incoterms in the spice trade include EXW, FOB, CIF and DAP. The Incoterms you choose will determine who handles export customs, freight and insurance.
Bilateral or regional agreements such as USMCA and EU-India PTA can reduce or eliminate duties on certain spices.
Selecting the correct tariff classification under the HS system is essential. You need to choose the right HS classification to accurately calculate duty rates and avoid penalties.
When choosing a supplier, verify supplier registrations and check factory audits to examine past performance. Sample testing can also help you gauge pesticide residues, aflatoxins, microbial counts and sensory quality.
Using recognized organic or fair-trade certification can help you appeal to more niche markets.
It’s important to create a detailed sales contract that includes defining quality specs, packaging, delivery schedule and penalties for non-compliance.
There are several different payment terms you can use, including:
Your contract should also include price adjustment clauses for currency fluctuations and changes in raw material costs.
Cross-check spice descriptions against national tariff line items to find the correct HS code for each spice. If you’re having trouble finding the proper classification, consult customs rulings or a licensed customs broker.
Duty rates are based on the purchased value of spices in the destination country. Use the percentage rate to calculate import duties, then add VAT or sales tax if necessary.
Duty-drawback or bonded-warehouse schemes allow you to get a refund on duties for spices that are re-exported or processed.
Packaging that comes in direct contact with spices must comply with food-grade regulations. Moisture-proof films and modified-atmosphere packaging (MAP) help preserve the aroma and flavor.
Keep in mind that some freight modes have weight and dimension limits you have to abide by. If you want to appeal to green buyers, consider eco-friendly packaging options.
Every spice label must contain the product name, net weight, country of origin, ingredients and allergens, best-before date and producer/importer details.
It’s important to comply with local font-size laws and translate labels for target markets. You can also include GS1 barcodes or QR codes for better traceability.
Choosing the right shipping method is key. Air freight is faster than sea freight or road freight, making it ideal for high-value or perishable spices. Sea freight is a more cost-effective option for bulk shipments of spices.
For regional trade, consolidations, LCL/FCL options and cross-border trucking routes are also options.
Typical transit times for air freight are about 3–7 days, while sea freight is usually in the range of 30–45 days. Road freight transit times vary based on distance and borders.
There are several risks when shipping spices globally, including moisture ingress, temperature swings, theft and shipping delays. Comprehensive cargo insurance helps you cover these risks.
Matching the exact HS code with the invoice details in automated customs systems helps you avoid delays and penalties. If applicable under importing country rules, you’re also required to declare chemical composition or irradiation status.
Licensed customs brokers can submit declarations, pay duties and coordinate with inspection officers. This helps streamline potential inspections for sampling, X-ray screening or lab analysis, but you should still include some buffer time in delivery schedules.
Third-party inspection firms like SGS and Bureau Veritas can perform on-site checks for weight, packaging integrity and moisture levels. Lab testing can identify pesticide residues, aflatoxins, heavy metals, microbial loads, and verify sensory attributes against Codex benchmarks.
In the event of a non-conforming shipment or recall, notify your buyers, quarantine or reject shipments and arrange for re-shipment or disposal according to local regulations.
Drafting detailed recall plans with clearly specified roles, communication lines and record-keeping helps you react quickly and maintain traceability.
There are spice import bans on certain seeds, untreated goods and spices that are at higher risk of harboring pests. Check APHIS or EU TRACES requirements before shipment to avoid penalties and delays.
When sellers assume shipping responsibilities without clear Incoterm definitions, it can lead to cost overruns. Failing to leverage free-trade agreements can also cost you money since you’re missing out on duty savings.
Real-time shipment tracking can help increase supply chain visibility so you can anticipate and better deal with delays.
You can determine if your spices meet food safety standards by testing for pesticide residue, microbial contamination, heavy metals and aflatoxins.
The typical lead time for spice shipments is about 1–5 days, so include that lead time when figuring delivery schedules.
No, you must meet organic certification requirements to label spices as organic and import them.
Using sealed, moisture-proof packaging helps reduce the risk of spices spoiling during transit.
Several countries have quarantine restrictions for specific spices, and the import of some spices may be banned in some countries altogether.
When you export or import spices, thorough market research, strict regulatory compliance and vigilant logistics management can make your life a lot easier.
As a spice importer or exporter, it’s important to regularly monitor trade regulations and quality standards to make sure you’re staying competitive and minimizing global shipping risks.
Sandra Malouf is the President of Eurolog Packing Group and has spent her career focused on Industrial Packaging. With a proven track record of helping businesses avoid supply chain disruptions, Sandra’s visionary leadership elevates the industry. She’s committed to developing sustainable practices and continues to shape the future of industrial packaging by listening to the customer and offering unique solutions applicable to various industries across the world. The company’s main focus is temperature stabilization and moisture damage prevention in exports affected by extreme variations in global temperatures.
© 2025 Eurolog Packing Group
