# Import Black Pepper from Sri Lanka to USA Source: https://srilankaexport.com/it/import-black-pepper-to-usa/ Sri Lanka Sourcing Guide ## Import Black Pepper from Sri Lanka to USA What it takes to source Black Pepper from Sri Lanka and bring it into the United States: tariff treatment, import requirements, shipping times and indicative pricing, with a free route to quotes from verified exporters. [Import from Sri Lanka to the US: every product, one page →](https://srilankaexport.com/it/import-from-sri-lanka-to-usa/) ProductBlack PepperHS 0904 Indicative FOB$6–9 / kggrade-dependent Tariff routeMFN / GSP*see below Sea transit~4–6 wksfrom Colombo USA is one of Sri Lanka’s largest export markets, taking US$2,882 million of goods in 2024 (UN Comtrade). Fresh Black Pepper crop typically lands December–March, [see the harvest calendar](/sri-lanka-harvest-calendar/). ### Why source Black Pepper from Sri Lanka Sri Lankan black pepper is known for its high piperine content and strong aroma, prized by spice processors and oleoresin extractors. Available whole (garbled MG1), cracked or ground, conventional or organic. Forms & grades: Whole (MG1 garbled), cracked or ground; conventional or organic. Browse current listings on our [Black Pepper category page](/spices-herbs/). ### Duty & tariff treatment for USA The US GSP program lapsed at the end of 2020 and has seen periodic reauthorization efforts. Confirm its current status before relying on it. In practice many Ceylon products already enter at low or zero standard (MFN) duty: black tea (HS 0902) is generally duty-free, and several spices carry little or no duty. Verify your exact line in the US HTS. Standard commercial documents establish origin; if GSP is in force, a claim is made on entry. Always confirm the current HTS duty rate for your specific product and form. Always confirm the current rate. Tariffs and preference schemes change. Check your exact HS line in the [US HTS tariff lookup](https://hts.usitc.gov/), and estimate duty + freight + insurance together with our [landed-cost calculator](/freight-calculator/). We don’t publish line-item tariff figures because they move and depend on your precise product and origin proof. ### Import requirements for USA Typical requirements for bringing Black Pepper into the United States include: - FDA food-facility registration for the producer and Prior Notice of each shipment. - A US importer subject to FSVP (Foreign Supplier Verification Program) responsibilities. - FDA labeling compliance; for organic goods, USDA-NOP recognized certification. Your exporter prepares the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading and certificate of origin; see our [export documents checklist](/sri-lanka-export-documents-checklist/) for the full set. ### Certificates this market asks for Lists of Sri Lankan suppliers holding each one, taken from the scheme’s own public register. A certificate covers named products, so our Trade Desk confirms it covers your order. - [USDA organic suppliers](https://srilankaexport.com/it/sri-lanka-organic-suppliers/)certified to the USDA organic standard - [Kosher certified suppliers](https://srilankaexport.com/it/sri-lanka-kosher-certified-suppliers/)STAR-K and OU - [FSSC 22000 certified suppliers](https://srilankaexport.com/it/sri-lanka-fssc-22000-certified-suppliers/)GFSI food safety, asked for by most importers and retailers - [BRCGS, ISO 22000 and HACCP suppliers](https://srilankaexport.com/it/sri-lanka-food-safety-certified-suppliers/)food safety schemes on certifier registers - [Fairtrade certified suppliers](https://srilankaexport.com/it/sri-lanka-fairtrade-certified-suppliers/)FLOCERT - [All certifications](https://srilankaexport.com/it/sri-lanka-certified-suppliers/)every scheme we track, with live counts ### Shipping & lead time from Colombo Roughly 4–6 weeks by sea from Colombo to US East/West Coast ports; air freight for samples and time-critical lots. Most Black Pepper moves FOB Colombo or CIF USA. Agree the Incoterm up front so responsibilities are clear. Estimate ocean freight and your landed cost with the [freight & landed-cost calculator](/freight-calculator/). ### Indicative pricing Black Pepper is indicatively $6–9 / kg FOB, varying by grade, order volume, packaging and certification. Track current reference ranges on our [Ceylon commodity prices](/ceylon-commodity-prices/) page, then get a firm, current quote for your exact specification below. ### Get quotes to import Black Pepper into USA Tell us your grade, volume and destination. We’ll match you with verified Sri Lankan Black Pepper exporters and get you firm FOB/CIF quotes, free, no obligation. [Request quotes →](/post-a-requirement/) Want to check quality first? [Order a sample](/samples/). Or, for a Sri Lankan grocery store, see [grocery wholesale](/grocery-wholesale/). ### Frequently asked questions Is Black Pepper from Sri Lanka duty-free into USA?The US GSP program lapsed at the end of 2020 and has seen periodic reauthorization efforts. Confirm its current status before relying on it. In practice many Ceylon products already enter at low or zero standard (MFN) duty: black tea (HS 0902) is generally duty-free, and several spices carry little or no duty. Verify your exact line in the US HTS. Confirm the exact rate for your HS line via the [US HTS tariff lookup](https://hts.usitc.gov/), or estimate your full landed cost with our [landed-cost calculator](/freight-calculator/). What does Black Pepper from Sri Lanka cost?Indicatively $6–9 / kg FOB, depending on grade, volume and certification. See live ranges on our [Ceylon commodity prices](/ceylon-commodity-prices/) page, then [request a firm quote](/post-a-requirement/). How long does shipping from Colombo take?Roughly 4–6 weeks by sea from Colombo to US East/West Coast ports; air freight for samples and time-critical lots. ### Related sourcing guides & tools #### Import Black Pepper to other markets [Germany](/import-black-pepper-to-germany/) · [UK](/import-black-pepper-to-uk/) · [The Netherlands](/import-black-pepper-to-netherlands/) · [The UAE](/import-black-pepper-to-uae/) · [India](/import-black-pepper-to-india/) · [China](/import-black-pepper-to-china/) · [Australia](/import-black-pepper-to-australia/) · [Canada](/import-black-pepper-to-canada/) #### Other Sri Lankan products to USA [Ceylon Cinnamon](/import-ceylon-cinnamon-to-usa/) · [Ceylon Tea](/import-ceylon-tea-to-usa/) · [Coconut Oil](/import-coconut-oil-to-usa/) · [Desiccated Coconut](/import-desiccated-coconut-to-usa/) · [Cloves](/import-cloves-to-usa/) · [Virgin Coconut Oil](/import-virgin-coconut-oil-to-usa/) · [Cardamom](/import-cardamom-to-usa/) · [Nutmeg & Mace](/import-nutmeg-to-usa/) · [Coir & Coco Peat](/import-coir-coco-peat-to-usa/) · [Coconut-Shell Activated Carbon](/import-activated-carbon-to-usa/) · [Essential Oils](/import-essential-oils-to-usa/) #### Sourcing tools [Commodity prices](/ceylon-commodity-prices/) · [HS code finder](/sri-lanka-hs-codes/) · [Harvest calendar](/sri-lanka-harvest-calendar/) · [Container calculator](/container-load-calculator/) · [Freight calculator](/freight-calculator/) · [Incoterms explained](/incoterms-explained/) · [GSP+ / DCTS duty guide](/duty-free-sourcing-sri-lanka/) · [Export documents](/sri-lanka-export-documents-checklist/)