The two countries regulate imported spices in different ways. In the UK, since Brexit, Great Britain has its own import rules, food law and labelling, separate from the EU. In Canada, the main difference is that food importers need a licence under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations. Check both with the authorities named below, because requirements change.
Importing spices to the UK from India
Spices are food of non-animal origin, and the UK sets its own checks on some higher-risk products from certain countries. The list of products under increased checks changes, so look at current GOV.UK guidance and ask your customs agent whether your product and origin are on it. If a product is on the list, health certificates and laboratory results may be required before entry.
UK food law covers contaminants, pesticide residues and labelling, and the importer is responsible for compliance. Labelling differs between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in some respects, so check which part you are selling in. See labelling rules for spice blends in the UK, EU and US.
Importing spices to Canada from India
In Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) requires importers of most foods to hold a Safe Food for Canadians licence. Importers must also have a written preventive control plan and the ability to trace their food one step back and one step forward. A Canadian importer should check the CFIA website for the current licence process, and a broker can advise on admissibility.
Labelling in Canada is bilingual, English and French, with its own requirements for nutrition tables, allergens and origin statements. Plan your artwork time accordingly.
Mango pulp: a processed product, not a spice
If you also want to import mango pulp to the UK, the rules shift from spice controls to those for processed fruit products. Check the product standard, sugar and preservative declarations, and the labelling of the packed pulp. Mango pulp from India explains the processing, and shelf life of canned and aseptic mango pulp covers the pack. Check the detail with the Food Standards Agency or your local authority.
Duty and trade agreements
Duty depends on the commodity code and any trade agreement in force. India and the UK have signed a trade agreement, but you should check on GOV.UK when and how it applies, rather than assume. How India-UK and India-EU agreements affect duty gives background. We do not state rates here. Record the HS code first with this guide.
Next step
Check the label before you check the price of freight. Language, allergen wording and date format differ between the two markets, and re-printing packs after production is slow. A short call with your importer or broker before approving artwork can save a whole production run.
Whichever market you choose, keep one folder for each shipment with the specification, laboratory results, supplier certificates and label artwork. Both the UK and Canadian authorities can ask for records, and a complete file answers most questions at once.
The legal responsibility is yours as importer. We handle the supplier side: finding and auditing the plant, checking samples and documents, having lots tested to your target market's limits, and supervising loading. To plan a UK or Canadian order, book a free sourcing review.