EU food law is largely shared across member states, so the main rules for importing dehydrated onion to Germany, dehydrated garlic to the Netherlands, psyllium husk to Germany or fennel seeds to Spain are the same. The importer is responsible for compliance. What differs by country is mostly the port of entry, the inspecting authority and language on the label.
The three checks that stop most shipments
For dried alliums and seeds from India, three issues cause most trouble at the border and in the market:
- Ethylene oxide and its breakdown product 2-chloroethanol. The EU does not allow its use on food, and spices treated with it have been recalled. See why 2-chloroethanol is tested and the EU ethylene oxide limit explained.
- Pesticide residues, which are tested against the EU's maximum residue levels. Pesticide residue testing for dehydrated onion sets out what to ask for.
- Microbiology, especially salmonella in seeds and total plate count in dried vegetables. See salmonella in dehydrated onion.
Products from India under special controls
The EU keeps lists of food from certain countries that face increased official checks, and it updates them regularly. Whether your product from India is on a list as of October 2026 is something to confirm in the current EU legislation or with your port's competent authority. When a product is listed, you may need pre-export laboratory results and an official certificate. Check before you place the order, not at the port.
Which tests to order
A practical test plan for the EU combines pesticides, ethylene oxide, microbiology, and for some seeds heavy metals and mycotoxins. Use tests to order for spices going to the EU as the base. Ask the laboratory to report against EU limits and to show its accreditation. Psyllium and fennel have their own risks, for example foreign matter and pesticide profile. Test every lot, not one lot per supplier.
Entry through Rotterdam and other ports
Many Indian shipments to the EU arrive at Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp or Barcelona and clear there, even if the final buyer is in another country. Goods enter free circulation at the first port, and customs and food authorities can sample there. Your broker needs the full document pack, as listed in the document pack your broker will ask for. Plant health certificates are needed for some plant products, so check the requirement for your goods.
Labelling and duty
Labels need to follow EU rules and the language of the country of sale. Allergens such as celery and mustard are declared in blends. Duty depends on the commodity code, and the EU publishes its tariff in the TARIC database, which your broker can search. We do not quote rates.
Next step
Keep lot numbers consistent from the bag to the laboratory report to the invoice. In the EU, a laboratory result that cannot be tied to a specific lot is worth little, and a mismatch is a common reason for extra questions at the port.
We handle the supplier side: finding and auditing plants, checking samples and documents, having each lot tested to EU limits, and supervising loading, for one written fee agreed in advance. To plan an EU order, book a free sourcing review. For a wider view, read EU pesticide and MRL limits for spices.