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.

This session presented by Richard Wortman and Michele Lehat of GDLSK provides a comprehensive overview of recent tariff developments impacting the spice and food import sectors, with a focus on strategies to reduce duty exposure through strategic sourcing, tariff engineering, and a close examination of CBP’s substantial transformation test. In this presentation, experts reviewed the current legal framework governing substantial transformation. They also walked through practical examples relevant to food and spice products, and explored how proper application of this doctrine can lead to meaningful duty savings. Whether you're an importer or manage procurement, compliance, or logistics, this webinar will offer practical, actionable insights to help your business stay competitive in today’s evolving trade landscape.