Importing from India to the United States
India's largest single-country market for shrimp, and a leading destination for basmati rice, psyllium husk, guar gum and red chilli.
Quick answer: The United States is India's single largest market for frozen shrimp and a leading destination for basmati rice (5.0% of India's basmati exports in 2025-26, APEDA), psyllium husk, guar gum and red chilli. Transit from Indian ports to US East Coast ports is typically 25–35 days. All food imports are regulated under FDA rules including FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act) requirements — FSVP importer verification and, for seafood, HACCP-based Seafood HACCP compliance.
India's most valuable single market for seafood
The United States takes more Indian frozen shrimp than any other single country — more than double the next-largest market by volume. Alongside that, it's a leading destination for basmati rice, psyllium husk (used widely in US dietary-fibre supplements), guar gum and red chilli.
FDA compliance is the defining feature of this market
More than any market we serve, US import compliance runs through a specific, well-documented regulatory system: FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act), FSVP (Foreign Supplier Verification Program) on the importer's side, prior notice filing before arrival, and — for seafood — Seafood HACCP compliance at the processing facility.
None of this is exotic if you or your importer have done it before, but a first-time buyer should expect more documentation exchange than with most other markets. We're used to it and can move quickly through the requests, but the process itself takes longer than a Gulf or South Asian shipment.
Import alerts are worth understanding before you order
FDA maintains import alerts that can place specific products, or specific exporters with a history of violations, under automatic detention pending testing. This is a system-level risk on any US food import, not specific to us — but it's exactly why we recommend pre-shipment testing on products where the FDA has historically focused attention: spices (residue and Salmonella), groundnut and sesame (aflatoxin), and psyllium (purity and contamination). Third-party inspection (SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek or your nominated agency) can be arranged on request.
Transit is long — plan inventory accordingly
At 25–35 days to the East Coast, US shipments need longer lead-time planning than almost any other market we serve. Build that into reorder timing, especially for products with seasonal demand peaks.
Key facts
- India's largest single-country shrimp market
- Leading lines: basmati rice, psyllium husk, guar gum, red chilli
- Transit: 25–35 days to East Coast ports
- Regulated under FDA/FSMA — FSVP, prior notice, Seafood HACCP for seafood
- Import alerts can trigger automatic detention — pre-shipment testing advisable
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What India exports to the USA
Products we handle where verified trade data shows India exporting to the USA. Figures are India's total exports of that product to the USA in the year shown — not our own shipment volumes.
| Product | India's exports to the USA | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Psyllium Husk (Isabgol) — within broader HS 1211.90 (HS 1211.90) | $165,631,680 | 2024 (calendar year) |
| Red Chilli (dried) (HS 0904.21 / 0904.22) | $132,195,810 | 2024 (calendar year) |
| Guar Gum (HS 1302.32) | $95,899,040 | 2024 (calendar year) |
| Cumin Seeds (HS 0909.31) | $66,901,300 | 2024 (calendar year) |
| Sesame seeds (hulled / natural) (HS 1207 40) | $37,500,000 | 2024-25 (volume); 2024 (value figures, product-use framed rather than plain country totals) |
| Mango (Alphonso, Kesar) (HS 0804.50) | $27,111,860 | 2024 (calendar year) |
| Dehydrated Onion (HS 0712.20) | $25,732,840 | 2024 (calendar year) |
| Turmeric (HS 0910.30) | $23,543,590 | 2024 (calendar year) |
| Black Pepper (HS 0904.11) | $14,394,620 | 2024 (calendar year) |
| Cardamom (HS 0908.31) | $13,622,130 | 2024 (calendar year) |
| Ginger (HS 0910.11) | $10,540,200 | 2024 (calendar year) |
| Chickpeas (Kabuli / Desi) (HS 0713.20) | $9,900,220 | 2024 (calendar year) |
| Coriander Seeds (HS 0909.21) | $6,692,550 | 2024 (calendar year) |
| Squid & Cuttlefish (frozen) (HS 0307.43) | $5,505,190 | 2024 (calendar year) |
Sources: compiled from the per-product trade-data files cited on each product page — primarily WITS (World Bank) / UN Comtrade for calendar year 2024, with some products from APEDA, MPEDA and trade-press compilations. Each product page states its own source, year and any limitations. Retrieved 2026-10-17.
Ports & transit time
| Destination port | Typical transit from Indian west-coast ports |
|---|---|
| New York / New Jersey | 25–35 days |
| Savannah | 25–33 days |
| Los Angeles / Long Beach (via Panama/Suez or transshipment) | 22–30 days |
| Houston | 28–36 days |
Transit times are general guidance based on typical shipping-line schedules and change with routing and transshipment. Ask for a current estimate to your port.
Documentation for shipments to the USA
Export documentation prepared to match destination-country and buyer requirements — phytosanitary certificate, certificate of origin, fumigation certificate, lab test reports and more, as applicable.
- FDA prior notice, filed before arrival by the importer or their agent
- Phytosanitary certificate for plant-origin goods
- Health certificate for seafood, alongside FDA Seafood HACCP compliance from the processing facility
- Certificate of origin
- Certificate of analysis / lab test report — residue and contaminant testing is heavily scrutinised at US entry
- Commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading
Share your compliance checklist and we will confirm the documentation for your shipment. Third-party inspection (SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek or your nominated agency) can be arranged on request.
Payment & currency norms
USD invoicing throughout. US buyers range from large importer-distributors working on open account or TT terms to smaller buyers using LC on first orders. FDA import holds (for inspection or documentation issues) can affect cash flow timing on new product lines — factor that into a first order.
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the USA import FAQs
The Foreign Supplier Verification Program requires the US importer to verify that their foreign suppliers meet US food safety standards. It's primarily the importer's compliance obligation, but they'll need documentation and information from us to satisfy it — expect more paperwork requests than from most other markets.
Yes — US seafood imports require the exporting processor to operate under a HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) plan, and FDA can inspect or request records. This is a standard part of how our seafood processing partners operate for US-bound shipments.
Very closely, and FDA import alerts on specific products or exporters (for aflatoxin, pesticide residue, or other issues) can trigger automatic detention of shipments until testing clears. Pre-shipment testing to US-relevant limits is strongly advisable, especially for spices, groundnut and psyllium husk.
Typically 25–35 days to East Coast ports — the longest transit of any market we serve at real volume, alongside Latin America. West Coast routing via transshipment can sometimes be faster depending on the shipping line's network.
Frozen shrimp is the largest by volume among products we track closely, with basmati rice, psyllium husk, guar gum and red chilli also major lines. Guar gum demand in particular is linked partly to US oil and gas drilling activity for the industrial grade.
Related markets
Get an export quote for the USA
Tell us your product, quantity and destination port — we'll confirm availability, documentation and a current FOB or CIF price within 24 business hours.
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