On November 14, the White House issued an Executive Order exempting certain agricultural commodities, including many spices, from all reciprocal tariffs globally. The exemption is effective as of November 13. ASTA has received questions from members about these exemptions. We have compiled a list of questions and answers for members. This document was updated on December 18, 2025 to reflect new guidance from USTR that spices on Annex II from India are exempted from Russian-oil related tariffs.

At the 2025 ASTA Annual Meeting & Exhibits, held on April 9th in Savannah, Georgia, Shawn Jarosz presented “Update on Cross-Border Trade and Tariffs” as part of the symposium "Navigating the Spice Supply Chain Course: Discourse, Disruption, and Solutions." The session provided a comprehensive overview of trade policy and tariff actions implemented to date, with a specific focus on their impact on U.S. spice imports. Jarosz highlighted the critical role that cross-border trade and tariff policies play in shaping supply chain stability, pricing, and market access. The presentation also examined ongoing and proposed mitigation efforts to manage disruptions and maintain a resilient trade flow. Key takeaways emphasized the need for industry stakeholders to stay informed and engaged on trade developments, and to explore collaborative strategies to adapt to evolving global trade dynamics.