Importing Herbal Tea from India to the USA: FDA Rules, Prior Notice and Labelling

If you plan to sell Indian herbal tea in the United States, a few FDA requirements apply to the food and to the people who handle it. This is a general overview, so confirm current rules with the FDA or a customs broker before you ship.

FDA REQUIREMENTS

Facility Registration

Facilities that manufacture, pack or hold food for US consumption generally need to be registered with the FDA, and foreign facilities need a US agent. Ask any Indian manufacturer how this is handled.

• - Food facilities manufacturing, packing or holding food for US consumption generally need FDA registration.
• - Foreign facilities generally need a US agent.
• - Ask your Indian manufacturer about its facility registration.
• - Confirm applicable requirements before shipping.

IMPORT PROCEDURE

Prior Notice

Imported food generally requires prior notice to the FDA before it arrives. Your customs broker or importer usually files this.

• - Prior notice is generally required for imported food.
• - It must be submitted to the FDA before the food arrives.
• - Your customs broker or importer usually handles the filing.
• - Confirm the filing requirements and timing before dispatch.

IMPORTER COMPLIANCE

Importer Responsibilities

US importers typically have duties to verify that their foreign suppliers produce food safely. A supplier who can share documents, batch records and a Certificate of Analysis makes this easier.

• - US importers have responsibilities for verifying foreign suppliers.
• - Suppliers should be able to share relevant documents.
• - Batch records help with product traceability.
• - A Certificate of Analysis (CoA) provides batch-related quality information.
• - Discuss supplier documentation before placing an order.

US FOOD LABELLING

Labelling

US food labels generally need a product name, net quantity, ingredient list, allergen information and the name and place of business. Teas marketed as dietary supplements follow different label rules, including a Supplement Facts panel.

• - Product name.
• - Net quantity.
• - Ingredient list.
• - Allergen information.
• - Name and place of business.
• - Dietary supplements follow different labelling rules.
• - Dietary supplements generally require a Supplement Facts panel.

HEALTH CLAIMS

Claims

Health claims are closely regulated. Avoid disease claims and have your wording reviewed before printing.

• - Health claims are subject to regulatory requirements.
• - Avoid unsupported disease-related claims.
• - Review product names and marketing wording.
• - Get your label claims checked before printing.
• - Confirm requirements for your product category and target market.

EXPORT DOCUMENTATION

Customs Documents

Expect a commercial invoice, packing list and, for some botanicals, plant health documents such as a phytosanitary certificate.

• - Commercial invoice.
• - Packing list.
• - Phytosanitary certificate for botanicals where applicable.
• - Additional customs or plant health documents depending on the product.
• - Confirm documentation requirements with your customs broker.

ANANTAH FOODS EXPORT SUPPORT

What We Do

We have shipped to buyers in the USA and Canada. For every export order, we prepare the export paperwork, phytosanitary certificates and customs documentation, and we send a Certificate of Analysis and batch records with shipments.

• - Experience shipping to buyers in the USA and Canada.
• - Export paperwork preparation.
• - Phytosanitary certificates, where applicable.
• - Customs documentation.
• - Certificate of Analysis with shipments.
• - Batch records supplied with shipments.

IMPORT TIPS

Tips

Good preparation can make importing herbal tea easier. Work with an experienced customs broker, finalise your labels before production and review samples and documents before committing to a large order.

• - Choose a customs broker experienced with food imports.
• - Finalise labels before production, not after.
• - Ask for samples and documents before committing to volume.

DISCLAIMER

Important Information

This article is general information and not legal advice. Tell us your plans, and we will share the documents we can provide.

• - FDA and import requirements may change.
• - Requirements depend on product type and how it is marketed.
• - Confirm current rules with the FDA or a customs broker before shipping.
• - Ask Anantah Foods about the export documents available for your order.