Spices & Herbs — US Import Duty from India

India → USA corridor · MFN tariff rates · Updated for 2026 HTS

India dominates the global spice trade, exporting pepper, cardamom, turmeric, cumin, coriander, and dozens of other spices to the US. Most spices enter the US at 0% duty, but FDA compliance — particularly Prior Notice — is non-negotiable and must be filed before the shipment arrives.

Typical US import duty rate (India origin)
0%–4%

Most spices enter duty-free under MFN rates. A small number attract rates up to 4% (e.g. some pepper products). No section 232 or anti-dumping duties apply.

Common HS codes for Spices & Herbs

HS code Description Look up exact rate
0904.11 Pepper (Piper) — neither crushed nor ground Look up
0910.11 Ginger Look up
0910.30 Turmeric (curcuma) Look up
0908.31 Cardamom seeds Look up
0909.31 Cumin seeds Look up

These are the most common 6-digit or 8-digit codes for this category. The exact code for your product may differ — use the free HS code lookup tool to classify your specific item.

US import compliance checklist

🔴
FDA Prior Notice
US Food and Drug Administration
Must be filed at least 2 hours before arrival for rail/truck, 4 hours for air, 8 hours for ocean freight.
Required
🔴
FDA facility registration
US Food and Drug Administration
The foreign food facility must be registered with FDA before export.
Required
🟡
Fumigation / phytosanitary certificate
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
Required for some raw plant material. Check USDA APHIS requirements for the specific product.
Check

🔴 Required items must be in place before CBP will release the shipment. This list is guidance — always verify with your customs broker.

Calculating your full landed cost

The duty rate is only one part of your total cost to land goods in a US warehouse. A complete landed cost also includes:

  • Freight — ocean or air freight from India to the US port of entry
  • Insurance — typically 0.5%–1% of cargo value
  • Customs broker fee — USD 75–250 per entry for a standard shipment
  • ISF filing — Importer Security Filing, USD 25–35 per ocean shipment
  • Destination charges — THC, delivery order fee, drayage

The duty rate shown above applies to the customs value (CIF value — cost + insurance + freight to the US port). Misunderstanding the duty base is one of the most common import cost errors.

Calculate your exact landed cost

Enter your shipment details and get a full breakdown — duty, freight, insurance, broker fees — plus a compliance-ready PDF your customs broker will want to see.

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Not sure about your HS code?

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Related topics: spice import duty USA India · turmeric HS code · cardamom import USA · FDA prior notice spices · pepper import duty USA