Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormDried
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Dried cloves in Great Britain are an import-dependent spice/food-ingredient market, supplied via global tropical origins and used in both retail and industrial food manufacturing. Domestic activity is concentrated in importing, quality assurance (microbiological/contaminant controls), and downstream processing such as grinding, blending, and packing for retail and B2B channels. UK import guidance for herbs and spices emphasizes GB-equivalent food hygiene and safety expectations, including pesticide residues and contaminants compliance, and notes that a health certificate is not normally required for herbs and spices. Formal UK legal standards of identity for “spices” are not defined, so buyers frequently reference industry/technical specifications (e.g., ISO standards) and customer specifications to manage quality and safety. Key trade risks are consignment-level non-compliance (e.g., Salmonella detection or residue/contaminant exceedances) and authenticity/fraud vulnerability, especially for ground spices.
Market RoleNet importer and domestic consumption/processing market
Domestic RoleCulinary spice and food-manufacturing ingredient with domestic grinding/blending/packing and distribution
Market GrowthNot Mentioned
SeasonalitySupply is primarily import-driven and available year-round; there is no domestic harvest season to shape availability.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Whole cloves: intact buds with characteristic aroma; low foreign matter and low incidence of mould/insect damage are common buyer acceptance factors.
- Ground cloves: uniform powder with controlled foreign matter and authenticity controls are commonly emphasized by buyers.
Compositional Metrics- Buyer specifications commonly focus on moisture control (to limit mould risk and preserve aroma) and may reference volatile oil-related quality attributes under specification standards.
Grades- Whole vs. crushed/ground form is a primary commercial classification driver; buyer specifications commonly define acceptance criteria by form and cleanliness.
Packaging- Bulk imports commonly use food-grade sacks or lined bags designed to protect against moisture ingress during transit; retail packs commonly use sealed jars/sachets with barrier properties to protect aroma.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Origin cultivation/harvest → drying → cleaning/sorting → export packing (moisture protection) → sea freight to GB → importer receipt/QA testing → optional domestic processing (cleaning/steam treatment, grinding, blending) → packing → distribution to retail and B2B ingredient channels
Temperature- Generally ambient shipment/storage is used for dried cloves, but moisture control during sea transit and UK warehousing is critical to prevent mould growth and quality loss.
Shelf Life- Dried cloves are relatively shelf-stable when kept dry and protected from pests, but aroma potency can decline with prolonged storage or poor packaging integrity.
Freight IntensityLow
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Food Safety HighMicrobiological contamination (notably Salmonella) is a critical disruption risk for imported dried spices in GB; detection can trigger consignment holds, product withdrawal/recall, and loss of buyer approval, especially where cloves are used in ready-to-eat or minimally processed foods.Require validated supplier controls (GMP/HACCP, environmental monitoring), obtain lot-specific microbiological certificates of analysis, and consider validated decontamination steps (e.g., steam treatment) within the supply chain where appropriate.
Regulatory Compliance MediumNon-compliance with GB pesticide MRLs/import tolerances or contaminant limits can result in enforcement action, consignment rejection, or customer delisting; herbs and spices imports are expected to meet GB food safety standards.Verify GB MRL requirements for the commodity and intended use, align testing plans to supplier/origin risk, and maintain documented risk assessments and supplier specifications.
Food Fraud MediumAuthenticity/adulteration risk is elevated in complex global herbs-and-spices supply chains with multiple intermediaries; ground spices are typically more vulnerable than whole cloves due to reduced visual detectability of substitution.Apply food-fraud vulnerability assessment, procure from approved suppliers with traceable origin lots, and use targeted authenticity testing (e.g., screening for substitution/adulterants) for higher-risk formats such as powders.
Sustainability- Import-dependent sourcing from tropical origins can reduce visibility across multi-tier supply chains; origin/lot traceability is important for responsible sourcing and authenticity control.
Labor & Social- Multi-tier supply chains for dried herbs and spices can involve smallholders and multiple intermediaries; limited visibility increases the need for supplier due diligence and documented social-compliance expectations.
Standards- BRCGS Global Standard Food Safety
- FSSC 22000
FAQ
Do I normally need a health certificate to import dried cloves into Great Britain?You do not normally need a health certificate to import herbs and spices into Great Britain, according to Food Standards Agency (FSA) business guidance for importing herbs and spices. Importers still need to ensure the shipment meets GB food hygiene and safety requirements, and should verify whether any additional restrictions apply based on the product and origin.
What commodity codes are commonly used for cloves in GB customs declarations?Cloves are commonly classified under HS heading 0907 in UK trade references. UK Trade Info lists cloves under 09 07 with subcategories distinguishing whole cloves (neither crushed nor ground) and crushed/ground cloves, and importers should confirm the exact code and measures in the GOV.UK Trade Tariff service for their specific product form.
Is there a recognized specification standard for whole and ground cloves that UK buyers may reference?Yes. ISO publishes ISO 2254:2004, which specifies requirements for whole and ground (powdered) cloves (Syzygium aromaticum). UK buyers may reference ISO and/or industry specifications as part of supplier approval and quality management.
What are the main GB compliance topics to manage when importing dried cloves?FSA guidance highlights food hygiene/safety expectations for imported herbs and spices, including contaminants and pesticides, and points importers to relevant authorities and references. For pesticide residues specifically, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides information on GB Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs), import tolerances, and related updates.