Abstract: The spices are important trading commodities in the world. For ensuring food safety, both developing and developed countries have strengthened research and management of pesticide residues in spices and established a series of maximum residue limits (MRLs). These MRL standards guarantee the quality and safety of the spices, and also facilitate international trade of related agricultural products. This review compared the principles on setting pesticide MRL standards for spices, crop classifications and specific limit standards in major international organizations and important spice trade countries. Studying the current status of pesticide residue standards in spices is to provide a reference for developing the global MRLs harmonization, to ensure the dietary risk of pesticide residues in spices and to facilitate international trade of spices.