Cumin seeds from India have been under increased surveillance since 2024 due to recurring issues involving pesticide residues.
Between early 2024 and late 2025, several key events shaped the export requirements and import controls on this commodity.

Key Dates

• May 2024: UK authorities tightened checks on Indian spices after contamination incidents were reported.

• June 2025: India introduced stricter export monitoring for cumin seeds, including mandatory residue testing for exporters with previous non-compliance.

• April–October 2025: The UK continued intensified border checks and higher sampling rates for Indian cumin.

• November 2025: The UK updated its high-risk import framework (coming into force January 2026), keeping cumin seeds classified in the high-risk category.

What These Measures Include

Indian cumin exporters must now comply with:

• Mandatory pre-export laboratory testing for pesticide residues.

• Clear traceability records from farm level to exporter.

• Accurate commodity-code classification under the UK Integrated Tariff.

• Stronger batch documentation, including Certificates of Analysis.

At UK borders, Indian cumin consignments may face:

• Higher inspection frequencies,

• Randomised sampling, and

• Delays if documentation does not match the new requirements.

Why This Matters

Cumin is one of India’s most significant spice exports, and the UK is a major destination.
Because of past residue violations, cumin remains in the UK’s “heightened risk” category, meaning:

• Increased safety scrutiny,

• Stricter documentation expectations, and

• Greater emphasis on exporter reliability.

The United Kingdom took decisive trade-remedy action against Chinese biodiesel during October and November 2025, following a formal investigation into under-priced imports.

Key Dates

• October 2025: The UK’s investigation into Chinese biodiesel pricing reached its final review stage.

• 24 November 2025: The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) submitted its final recommendation to impose anti-dumping duties.

• 25 November 2025: The UK Government formally accepted the recommendation and duties came into immediate effect.

What Happened

The investigation concluded that biodiesel from China was being dumped on the UK market at unfairly low prices.
The UK imposed:

• A lower duty rate on Chinese exporters who cooperated with the investigation.

• A significantly higher duty rate on exporters who did not provide full data.

Why This Matters

Although biodiesel is not related to agricultural commodities, the decision reflects a stronger UK stance on:

• Enforcing trade rules,

• Protecting domestic industries, and

• Applying swift corrective measures.

This stricter approach is now visible across multiple import categories, including food products such as spices.