The United Kingdom market for Indian ashwagandha root extract & powder
Sold as a food supplement ingredient; buyers increasingly ask for root-only material and tolerable-intake justification.
Ashwagandha Root Extract & Powder specification for United Kingdom orders
| Parameter | Typical export value |
|---|---|
| Withanolides | 1.5%, 2.5%, 5% by HPLC, or higher by gravimetric method; state the method (typical) |
| Plant part | Root only (preferred for EU/US) or root + leaf (typical) |
| Loss on drying | ≤ 5% (typical) |
| Mesh | 80 mesh (typical) |
| Heavy metals | Pb ≤ 3 ppm, Cd ≤ 1 ppm, As ≤ 2 ppm, Hg ≤ 0.1 ppm (typical buyer spec) |
| Microbiology | TPC ≤ 10,000 cfu/g; yeast & mould ≤ 1,000 cfu/g; E. coli and Salmonella absent (typical) |
Final values are agreed per contract and checked against the United Kingdom requirements below, then confirmed by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Import requirements in United Kingdom
| Requirement | Regulator | Document / registration |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-notification | Defra / APHA / FSA | IPAFFS notification before arrival; BTOM risk category; BCP checks |
| Labelling | FSA / Defra | Retained Reg. 1169/2011; UK/NI address of FBO |
General guidance as of November 2026. Confirm with your customs broker or the regulator before shipping. Final regulatory decisions require professional verification.
Shipping ashwagandha root extract & powder to United Kingdom
Typical sea transit Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) → Felixstowe / London Gateway: 20-26 via Suez; 30-37 via Cape days. IPAFFS pre-notification for SPS goods; CETA preference from 15 Jul 2026
Container loading (estimate): 20' ~8-10 MT in 25 kg drums, 40' HC ~14-18 MT.
Quoted on FOB, FCA, CIF, CIP, DAP; CIF Felixstowe / London Gateway is the common choice for first orders.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to import ashwagandha root extract & powder into United Kingdom?
Key requirements: Pre-notification — Defra / APHA / FSA (IPAFFS notification before arrival; BTOM risk category; BCP checks); Labelling — FSA / Defra (Retained Reg. 1169/2011; UK/NI address of FBO). Your customs broker confirms the full list for your HS line.
How long does shipping from India to United Kingdom take?
Typically 20-26 via Suez; 30-37 via Cape days port-to-port from Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) to Felixstowe / London Gateway, plus 5–10 days for stuffing, export clearance and destination clearance (estimates).
Does United Kingdom have a trade agreement with India?
India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) signed 24 Jul 2025, in force 15 Jul 2026 (duty-free on ~99% of Indian export lines by value; staged UK tariff cuts on Scotch, cars, etc.) [S7][S8]. Note S10/Chambers guides pre-date entry into force — rely on S7/S8; India stays in UK DCTS until 15 Jul 2028 but DCTS and CETA proofs of origin are not interchangeable [06 §C.5] A preferential certificate of origin is needed to claim any reduced duty.
Which HS code applies to ashwagandha root extract & powder from India?
Usually HS 130219. United Kingdom applies its own national tariff extension to the 6-digit code; confirm the full line with your broker.
HPLC or gravimetric - which withanolide figure should I ask for?
HPLC measures specific withanolides and gives lower numbers; gravimetric measures a broader fraction and gives higher numbers. Specify the method in the purchase order.
Root only or root and leaf?
Many EU and US buyers ask for root-only extracts, partly because of the Danish risk assessment. Leaf-containing extracts are cheaper.
Is ashwagandha allowed in the EU?
It depends on the member state. Denmark bans it in food supplements; elsewhere it is sold with warnings. Check before you buy.
Related guides
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