Food Products from India — Tariff Rates & HTS Codes (2026)

USTradeStack

Effective Duty Rate

Variable MFN rates; spices and rice face specific duties

Estimate — verify by HTS code

Compliance Risk

Medium

Relative to other import corridors

Regulatory Agencies

FDA, USDA/FSIS, USDA/APHIS, EPA

Primary oversight bodies

OVERVIEW

Importing Food Products, Beverages & Agricultural Goods from India

Importing food products from India into the United States carries medium compliance risk, with an effective duty rate of Variable MFN rates; spices and rice face specific duties. Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs (25% / 10%) apply to relevant food products sub-categories — verify your HTS code against current Section 232 annexes before entry.

Food Products imported from India to the United States is subject to CBP entry requirements, applicable HTS-based duty rates, and agency compliance clearances. This guide covers the complete import process for 2026.

⚠ Key Trade Intelligence — India Origin

India exports spices, basmati rice, tea, cashews, and processed foods. MFN rates vary widely by product. FDA has increased scrutiny of Indian food imports following pesticide residue findings. Organic certifications can improve clearance.

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SAMPLE LANDED COST — $50,000 SHIPMENT

Estimated Landed Cost: Food Products from India

Based on a representative $50,000 CIF shipment value. Actual costs vary by HTS code, entry type, and port of entry.

Cost Component	Amount	Notes
Cargo Value (CIF)	$50,000.00	Reference shipment value
MFN Base Duty (5.0%)	$2,500.00	MFN column, Schedule B
Merchandise Processing Fee (0.3464%)	$173.20	Min $31.67 / max $614.35
Harbor Maintenance Fee (0.125%)	$62.50	Ocean freight only
Total Duties & Fees	$2,735.70	Effective rate: 5.5%
Estimated Landed Cost	$52,735.70	Cargo + all US duties/fees

⚠ Section 232 tariffs (25% steel / 10% aluminum) may apply to food products sub-categories with significant steel or aluminum content. Not included above — verify by specific HTS code.

Excludes freight, insurance, broker fees, warehousing, and AD/CVD duties. Use the Duty Calculator for a precise estimate on your specific shipment.

APPLICABLE HTS CODES

HTS Codes for Food Products Imports

The following Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes typically apply to food products imports. Exact classification depends on the specific product — misclassification is one of the most common CBP compliance errors.

HTS Code	Product Description	MFN Base Duty Rate
0901	Coffee (green, roasted, decaffeinated)	0% MFN (green); 0% (instant)
1806	Chocolate & Cocoa Preparations	0%–8.5% MFN
2009	Fruit Juices & Vegetable Juices	0%–29.8¢/liter MFN
1604–1605	Prepared Fish, Crustaceans & Shellfish	0%–20% MFN
2106	Food Preparations Not Elsewhere Specified (sauces, supplements)	0%–8.5% MFN

MFN rates reflect base tariff. Additional duties (Section 301, Section 232, AD/CVD) may apply on top of MFN rates. Use the AI classifier to get the exact 10-digit HTS code and all applicable rates for your specific product.

DUTY STACK — INDIA ORIGIN

Total Tariff Cost for India-Origin Food Products

Duty Layer	Rate / Status	Applies To
MFN Base Rate	Varies by HTS code	All India-origin goods (baseline)
Section 301	Not applicable	India-origin goods are not subject to Section 301
Section 232 (Steel/Aluminum)	25% steel / 10% aluminum	Steel and aluminum imports from India

Precise Duty Calculation

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Our calculator handles all duty layers — MFN + Section 301 + Section 232 + FTA rates — for any HTS code from any origin country.

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COMPLIANCE — FDA / USDA/FSIS / USDA/APHIS / EPA

US Compliance Requirements for Food Products Imports

Regardless of origin country, food products imports must satisfy the following US regulatory requirements before or at the time of CBP entry filing:

FDA Prior Notice of imported food — must be submitted 15 days (ocean) or 4 hours (air) before arrival; Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) under FSMA required for all food importers
USDA/FSIS import inspection for meat, poultry, and egg products — only from countries with FSIS-equivalent inspection systems; products must bear FSIS mark of inspection
USDA/APHIS phytosanitary requirements for fresh fruits, vegetables, and plant-based products — phytosanitary certificate from origin country required
EPA pesticide residue tolerance limits (40 CFR Part 180) apply to all imported food products — FDA monitors and enforces at the border

Compliance Check Tool

Run an automated compliance check for your food products import — identifies all applicable agency requirements, flagging issues before your shipment departs India.

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REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Documentation Checklist for Food Products from India

Prepare all documents before the shipment departs India. Missing or incorrect documents are the #1 cause of CBP holds and customs delays.

1

Commercial Invoice with product name, ingredients list, and country of origin

2

Packing List with batch/lot numbers and production dates

3

Bill of Lading (temperature-controlled documentation for perishables)

4

FDA Prior Notice Confirmation

5

Phytosanitary Certificate (for plant-based products) or FSIS Import Permit (for meat/poultry)

6

Country of Origin Certificate and Food Facility Registration

Document Generator

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ESTIMATED TIMELINE

Import Timeline — Food Products from India

1–5 days (air freight for perishables); 15–30 days (ocean for shelf-stable products)

Supplier Preparation

Allow 1–2 weeks for production documentation, certificates, and packing lists

Transit Time

18–35 days ocean from Asia/origin

CBP Clearance

1–3 days standard; 5–15 days if examination or AD/CVD review required

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FAQs — Importing Food Products from India

What is the effective US tariff rate for importing food products from India?

The effective US tariff rate for food products from India is: Variable MFN rates; spices and rice face specific duties. India exports spices, basmati rice, tea, cashews, and processed foods. MFN rates vary widely by product. FDA has increased scrutiny of Indian food imports following pesticide residue findings. Organic certifications can improve clearance.

What compliance agencies regulate food products imports from India?

Food Products imports require compliance with: FDA, USDA/FSIS, USDA/APHIS, EPA. Specific requirements include: FDA Prior Notice of imported food — must be submitted 15 days (ocean) or 4 hours (air) before arrival; Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) under FSMA required for all food importers and USDA/FSIS import inspection for meat, poultry, and egg products — only from countries with FSIS-equivalent inspection systems; products must bear FSIS mark of inspection.

What documents are required to import food products from India?

Required documents include: Commercial Invoice with product name, ingredients list, and country of origin; Packing List with batch/lot numbers and production dates; Bill of Lading (temperature-controlled documentation for perishables); FDA Prior Notice Confirmation. Additional: Phytosanitary Certificate (for plant-based products) or FSIS Import Permit (for meat/poultry); Country of Origin Certificate and Food Facility Registration. Ensure all documents are prepared before the shipment departs India.

How long does customs clearance take for food products from India?

Typical timeline: 1–5 days (air freight for perishables); 15–30 days (ocean for shelf-stable products). CBP clearance typically takes 1–3 business days for compliant entries. Complex entries (AD/CVD, formal entry review, or examination) may require 5–15 additional business days.

Are there Section 301 or Section 232 tariffs on food products from India?

No Section 301 tariffs apply to India-origin goods. Section 232 applies: 25% on steel and 10% on aluminum products from India.

What FDA Prior Notice requirements apply to all food product imports?

FDA's Prior Notice regulation (21 CFR Part 1, Subpart I) requires advance notice before all food, beverages, dietary supplements, and animal feed shipments arrive at the US port of entry. Prior notice must be submitted between 5 days and 2 hours before arrival (for non-ocean shipments) or between 5 days and 4 hours before arrival (ocean freight). Non-compliance results in FDA refusal of admission and CBP may hold or return the shipment at the importer's expense. Use FDA's PNSI system or a licensed customs broker to file prior notice.

What USDA, FDA, and FSIS regulations govern food imports and how do they interact?

Food imports face dual FDA/USDA jurisdiction depending on product type. FDA governs: fruits, vegetables, seafood, processed foods, dietary supplements, and most food products (95%+ of US food imports). FSIS (Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA) governs: meat, poultry, and egg products — which require country equivalence determination before export to the US is permitted. USDA AMS oversees organic certification and grading. CBP enforces FDA and USDA requirements at entry — all food imports are subject to examination, sampling, and detention.

How does Section 301 affect food and agricultural product imports from China?

Selected Chinese food and agricultural products are subject to Section 301 tariffs. Notably, some processed food products (condiments, prepared foods, additives) in USTR Lists 3 and 4A face 25% additional duty. However, many primary agricultural commodities were excluded or carry 7.5% List 4A rates. The effective impact depends heavily on the specific HTS code — use USTR's Section 301 lists to determine applicability before sourcing. Note that most tropical agricultural products (coffee, cocoa, spices) from China are not major trade flows, so Section 301 primarily affects processed food categories.

How did the 2019 GSP suspension affect Indian imports and does GSP still apply?

The US suspended India's Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) benefits in June 2019. GSP has not been reinstated as of 2026 — Indian goods that previously entered at 0% under GSP now pay full MFN rates. Key affected sectors include textiles, chemicals, plastics, and light manufacturing. Despite higher duties, India remains competitive due to low production costs and a growing manufacturing base.

Are there Section 301 or Section 232 tariffs on goods imported from India?

India is not subject to Section 301 tariffs (which are China-specific). Section 232 applies to Indian steel (25%) and aluminum (10%) imports unless an exemption or TRQ arrangement is in place. Check the most current Section 232 proclamation annexes for India's current status — arrangements have changed over time and may change again.

What is the trade outlook for US-India tariffs given ongoing negotiations?

The US and India have held bilateral trade discussions under the US-India Trade Policy Forum since 2020. As of 2026, no comprehensive FTA has been concluded. Limited sectoral trade packages have been discussed but not finalized. Importers sourcing from India should monitor negotiations closely — a US-India trade deal could materially reduce duties across key categories including textiles, chemicals, and automotive components.

TRADE INTELLIGENCE TOOLS

Free Tools for Food Products Importers

Run these tools before your next shipment from India — all free, no account required.

🔍 AI HTS Classifier

Get the exact 10-digit HTS code for your food products. Identifies Section 301/232 exposure.

🧮 Landed Cost Calculator

Calculate total duty including MFN + Section 301 + Section 232 for India-origin goods.

🛡️ Supplier Screening

Screen your India supplier against OFAC, BIS Entity List, and denied parties databases.

✅ Compliance Check

Verify FDA/USDA/FSIS/USDA/APHIS/EPA requirements and identify documentation gaps before shipment.

📊 Trade Research Hub

Deep-dive on tariff policy changes, Federal Register notices, and regulatory updates for India.

🔔 Tariff Alerts

Get notified when duty rates or compliance requirements change for your product corridors.

Ready to Calculate Your Exact Import Costs?

Get precise duty calculations, landed cost estimates, and compliance flags for your food products shipment from India.

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View full India tariff profile → Browse all import guides → Calculate landed cost →

Import duty rates are sourced from the USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule and USTR Section 301 lists. Rates reflect current published schedules as of 2026-05-16 and are subject to change. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or customs brokerage advice. Verify rates with a licensed customs broker before importing.

How to Import Food Products from India to the US