Nutmeg, Crushed or Ground

Origin is determined by substantial transformation rules, not merely the country of final processing. Grinding whole nutmeg may not constitute a substantial transformation sufficient to confer Vietnamese origin if the kernel itself was grown and dried in Indonesia. Importers should obtain a binding ruling or consult a licensed customs broker before declaring origin on the entry.

FDA requires prior notice of food shipments, and ground spices may be subject to sampling under the agency's spice import program. Shippers should provide accurate product descriptions, country of origin, and manufacturer/shipper details. Shipments from facilities on FDA import alerts may face automatic detention.