The United States is the world's largest single-country importer of psyllium husk, driven by the massive dietary supplement industry (worth $55+ billion), natural food manufacturing, and pharmaceutical-grade fiber product demand. Virtually all US psyllium supply comes from India. This guide is written for US supplement manufacturers, food companies, and wholesale distributors looking to source psyllium husk directly from an Indian exporter.
US Import Classification & Duties
Psyllium husk is classified under HTS Code 1211.90.9040 for US customs purposes. Current import duty: 0% (duty-free under the US tariff schedule). This makes Indian psyllium extremely competitive once landed in the USA.
Required US import documentation: - Commercial invoice (in USD) - Packing list - Bill of Lading / Air Waybill - Certificate of Origin - Phytosanitary Certificate - COA (Certificate of Analysis) — FDA expects this to be available on request - USDA NOP Organic Certificate (for organic claims) - Importer of Record (IOR) — the US-based company importing the goods registers with FDA
FDA Compliance for Psyllium Husk
Psyllium husk enters the US either as a dietary supplement ingredient or a food ingredient. Both paths have specific FDA requirements:
As a Dietary Supplement Ingredient: Your US company (the IOR) must be registered with FDA as a facility. The ingredient must comply with 21 CFR Part 111 (Current Good Manufacturing Practice in Manufacturing, Packaging, Labeling, or Holding Operations for Dietary Supplements). You need a Supplier Qualification Program — your Indian supplier should be able to provide: COA, MSDS, specification sheets, facility audit reports or third-party GMP audit certificates.
As a Food Ingredient: Must comply with 21 CFR 101 labeling and GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status. Psyllium husk is GRAS for use as a dietary fiber.
FDA Prior Notice: All food shipments to the USA require Prior Notice filing through FDA's Prior Notice System Interface (PNSI). Your freight forwarder or customs broker handles this.
USDA NOP Organic Certification
For psyllium husk marketed as "USDA Organic" in the USA: - Your Indian supplier must hold a current USDA National Organic Program (NOP) certificate - The certificate must cover both farming AND processing - The product must be handled through an organic system plan - Annual review and inspection by an NOP-accredited certifying agent is required
Amar Herbal Origins holds current USDA NOP certification. Our organic psyllium is processed in a dedicated organic production line with zero cross-contamination. We provide full NOP certificates with every organic shipment — verifiable through the USDA Organic Integrity database.
Quality Parameters US Buyers Require
US pharmaceutical and supplement buyers typically require psyllium husk meeting USP (United States Pharmacopeia) monograph standards: - Identification: Meets USP Psyllium Husk monograph - Purity: ≥99% husks (USP standard) - Swelling power: ≥9 (USP method) - Loss on drying: ≤12% - Heavy metals: Compliant with USP <232> (Pb ≤5 ppm, Cd ≤1 ppm, As ≤1.5 ppm, Hg ≤1.5 ppm) - Pesticides: Screened against EPA/FDA limits - Microbiology: Per USP <2021> / <2023>
Logistics: India to USA
FOB Mundra / Nhava Sheva → Los Angeles (USLAX) or New York (USNYC) Transit time: 20–25 days to West Coast; 23–28 days to East Coast Major freight forwarders: Expeditors, CEVA Logistics, Flexport, DB Schenker
Amar Herbal Origins regularly ships to US ports. We have experience with FDA prior notice, USDA organic import documentation, and US customs clearance coordination.
Why US Buyers Choose Amar Herbal Origins
We supply US supplement brands, food manufacturers, and distributors with: USDA NOP organic certificates, full USP-specification COA, third-party lab test reports from US-accredited labs on request, SDS/MSDS documentation, and complete FDA-required supplier qualification documentation packages. Contact us for current USD FOB pricing, free sample, and a full documentation preview.
Amar Herbal Origins processes premium 99% purity whole husk and fine powders. We hold ISO 22000, USDA/EU Organic, Kosher, and Halal certifications.