Importing Spices to the USA: Duty and Entry Data
US spice duties under HTS 0904-0910 run 0-3%, with FDA prior notice and FSVP on the importer, plus a Nov 2025 exemption.
US duty and entry facts (verified)
The table sets out the tariff position and the entry controls that decide whether an Indian spice shipment clears US customs and FDA.
| Item | Detail | Source basis |
|---|---|---|
| Tariff range, HTS 0904-0910 | 0-3% MFN duty | USITC HTS |
| FDA prior notice | Required per shipment | FDA |
| FSVP | Sits on the US importer | FDA |
| Nov 2025 executive order | Exempted Indian pepper, cumin, turmeric from top reciprocal duties | USITC HTS |
| USA share of India's spice value | 14% (FY2025-26) | Spices Board |
Entry controls to plan for
- FDA Prior Notice must be filed for every shipment before arrival.
- The Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) obligation rests on the US importer, who must verify the Indian supplier.
- Salmonella-driven FDA import refusals of spices rose across 2024-25, so microbiological control is the practical gatekeeper, not the low tariff.
The tariff picture
MFN duties across HTS chapters 0904 to 0910 sit in the 0-3% band, so tariff is rarely the barrier. A November 2025 executive order additionally exempted Indian pepper, cumin and turmeric from the top reciprocal duties.
Frequently asked
What duty do Indian spices pay entering the USA?
MFN duties under HTS 0904-0910 run 0-3%. A November 2025 executive order also exempted Indian pepper, cumin and turmeric from the top reciprocal duties. FDA prior notice and FSVP still apply.
Who is responsible for FSVP?
The US importer holds the Foreign Supplier Verification Program obligation and must verify the Indian supplier.
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Start a sourcing enquiry →What this page does not tell you
- Per-8-digit HTS line rates
- We state the 0-3% band; exact duty on each 8-digit HTS line is not enumerated here.
- Post-EO reciprocal schedule detail
- The full reciprocal-duty schedule around the November 2025 exemption is not detailed in our sources.
Reviewed 16 July 2026.
Sources
- USITC — Harmonized Tariff Schedule· Tier 1, retrieved 2026-07-16
- FDA — Foreign Supplier Verification Programs· Tier 1, retrieved 2026-07-16
- Spices Board of India — Export statistics· Tier 1, retrieved 2026-07-16