Importing herbal ingredients into the EU is manageable if you know who carries which obligation and which framework applies to your specific ingredient and use. This is a practical overview for EU importers sourcing botanicals from India. It is general guidance, not legal advice: confirm the current rules for your product with your customs broker and the relevant authority.
Who carries the obligation?
In the EU, the importer generally carries most of the regulatory responsibility: customs clearance, compliance with food or cosmetic law, and record-keeping. The exporter (A.R.T International) supplies the goods, the Certificate of Analysis and the standard export documents. Getting the split clear up front avoids surprises at the border. For the baseline documents any import needs, see our general import guide.
Customs basics
EU importers generally need an EORI number for customs, and the goods are classified under a commodity code (the EU uses TARIC). The commodity code drives duty and any specific controls, so confirm the correct code for your botanical with your broker.
Frameworks that may apply
| Area | What to check |
|---|---|
| Contaminants | EU limits exist for categories such as heavy metals, pesticide residues (MRLs) and mycotoxins. Match your COA to the limits for your product. |
| Novel Food | Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 for foods without significant pre-1997 EU consumption. Check the Novel Food Catalogue. |
| Organic | Regulation (EU) 2018/848 for organic-labelled imports. |
| Cosmetics use | Regulation (EC) 1223/2009: a Responsible Person in the EU and CPNP notification for the finished cosmetic. |
| Plant health | A phytosanitary certificate may be required depending on the material. |
Which of these applies depends entirely on your ingredient and how it is used, so the COA and the intended-use classification are the two things to pin down first. For a hair-care range, note the cosmetics route; see our hair-care botanical range guide.
How we support EU importers
We supply the goods to your written specification with a COA on every lot, and the standard export documents (commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, and a phytosanitary certificate where required). Organic documentation is available depending on the product. Send our export desk your ingredient, intended use and destination country and we will confirm what we can provide. See also the US and GCC guides.
Frequently asked questions
Who is responsible for EU import compliance, the exporter or the importer?
In practice the EU importer carries most of the regulatory obligation: customs clearance, meeting food or cosmetic law, and record-keeping. The exporter supplies the goods, the COA and the standard export documents. We supply the documentation an EU importer typically needs; confirm the full set with your customs broker.
Do I need an EORI number to import into the EU?
Businesses importing into the EU generally need an EORI number for customs. Your customs broker or national customs authority can confirm and help you register.
What is the Novel Food rule and does it affect herbal ingredients?
The EU Novel Food Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 governs foods without a significant history of consumption in the EU before 1997. Some botanicals or preparations may fall under it. Check the EU Novel Food Catalogue and confirm the status of your specific ingredient and intended use.
Can you provide organic certification for the EU?
Organic documentation is available depending on the product. EU organic imports follow Regulation (EU) 2018/848. Tell our export desk your requirement and we will confirm what we can provide for your ingredient.
Specifications vary by crop, season and grade. For current lot specifications, sennosides or lawsone levels, MOQ and pricing to your destination, ask our export desk for a live COA.