At a glance
- Incoterms
- FOB, CFR, CIF, FCA
India's basmati rice export trade
India exported US$5,944 mn of basmati rice in FY2024-25 according to apeda.gov.in.
Largest destinations by value share: Saudi Arabia 20.25%; Iraq 14.30%; Iran 12.67% (then UAE, Yemen)
Export markets we serve
| Market | What matters there | Sea transit from India |
|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | Federal food registration / import permit (MOCCAE); Company & product registration before arrival (Dubai Municipality Food Safety Dept) | 3-6 days |
| Saudi Arabia | Importer & product registration (SFDA); Clearance documents (SFDA via FASAH) | 6-10 days |
| Germany | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Increased official controls (DG SANTE (Reg. (EU) 2019/1793 as amended by 2026/1206)) | 21-27 via Suez; 31-38 via Cape days |
| Netherlands | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Increased official controls (DG SANTE (Reg. (EU) 2019/1793 as amended by 2026/1206)) | 18-24 via Suez; 28-35 via Cape days |
| France | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Increased official controls (DG SANTE (Reg. (EU) 2019/1793 as amended by 2026/1206)) | 20–25 d to Le Havre; 15–20 d to Marseille-Fos (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2: typical liner schedules) |
| Italy | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Increased official controls (DG SANTE (Reg. (EU) 2019/1793 as amended by 2026/1206)) | 15–20 d to Genoa/La Spezia via Suez (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2: typical liner schedules) |
| Spain | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Increased official controls (DG SANTE (Reg. (EU) 2019/1793 as amended by 2026/1206)) | 15–20 d to Valencia/Barcelona/Algeciras via Suez (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2: typical liner schedules) |
| United Kingdom | Pre-notification (Defra / APHA / FSA); Labelling (FSA / Defra) | 20-26 via Suez; 30-37 via Cape days |
| United States | Facility registration (FDA); Advance notice of each shipment (FDA) | 24-30 via Suez; 32-40 via Cape days |
| Canada | Importer licence & controls (CFIA (SFCR)); Labelling (CFIA / Health Canada) | 26-34 via Suez; 34-42 via Cape days |
| Qatar | General import clearance | 6–9 d to Hamad Port, often via Jebel Ali/Salalah transhipment (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Kuwait | General import clearance | 8–12 d to Shuwaikh/Shuaiba, usually via Jebel Ali (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Oman | General import clearance | 3–5 d Mundra/Nhava Sheva → Sohar/Muscat; 4–6 d Salalah (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Bahrain | General import clearance | 7–10 d via Jebel Ali/Dammam (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Belgium | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Increased official controls (DG SANTE (Reg. (EU) 2019/1793 as amended by 2026/1206)) | 19-25 via Suez; 29-36 via Cape days |
| Poland | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Increased official controls (DG SANTE (Reg. (EU) 2019/1793 as amended by 2026/1206)) | 28–35 d to Gdańsk (direct Asia–Baltic loops or via Hamburg/Rotterdam feeder) (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Sweden | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Increased official controls (DG SANTE (Reg. (EU) 2019/1793 as amended by 2026/1206)) | 28–35 d to Gothenburg via Hamburg/Rotterdam feeder (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Denmark | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Increased official controls (DG SANTE (Reg. (EU) 2019/1793 as amended by 2026/1206)) | 28–35 d to Aarhus/Copenhagen via Hamburg feeder (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Ireland | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Increased official controls (DG SANTE (Reg. (EU) 2019/1793 as amended by 2026/1206)) | 25–32 d to Dublin via Rotterdam/Antwerp/UK feeder (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Iran | General import clearance | — |
Transit times are typical port-to-port estimates; regulatory items are the main product-specific requirements, not an exhaustive list.
Where basmati rice is sourced in India
Haryana — Karnal, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Panipat. Karnal/Taraori mill belt - largest concentration of basmati export mills
Punjab — Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, Ferozepur. Major paddy growing and milling belt
Uttar Pradesh — Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Bulandshahr, Aligarh. Western UP basmati GI districts
Uttarakhand — Dehradun, Udham Singh Nagar. Dehradun is the traditional-basmati heritage area
- Karnal (rice-mill belt) / Amritsar-Tarn Taran / Taraori (Haryana; Punjab; Uttar Pradesh; Uttarakhand; J&K) · GI tagged · ships via Mundra · season: Paddy harvest Oct-Nov; new-crop shipments Nov-Mar (ASSUMPTION - general crop calendar)
- Kakinada rice-export hub / Raipur / Burdwan (Andhra Pradesh; Chhattisgarh; West Bengal; Telangana; Odisha; UP) · ships via Kakinada · season: Kharif harvest Oct-Dec; rabi Mar-May (ASSUMPTION)
- SEEPZ Mumbai / Coimbatore gold cluster / Jaipur (Maharashtra; Tamil Nadu; Gujarat; West Bengal; Rajasthan) · ships via Air only · season: Year-round; Diwali/Dhanteras, wedding seasons
Typical export specification
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Average grain length (raw, 1121) | 8.30-8.40 mm (typical commercial); FSSAI basmati identity standard minimum 6.61 mm |
| Average grain length (1509 / Pusa / traditional) | 7.8-8.2 mm / 7.0-7.5 mm / 6.8-7.2 mm (typical) |
| Elongation ratio on cooking | about 2.0 or more for 1121 (typical); FSSAI minimum 1.7 |
| Moisture | ≤ 12.5-13% (typical) |
| Broken grains | ≤ 1-2% for premium grades; 5% for economy grades (typical) |
| Purity (varietal admixture) | ≥ 95% by DNA/visual test (typical buyer requirement) |
| Damaged / discoloured / chalky | ≤ 0.5-1% each (typical) |
| Additives | No artificial colour, polishing agent or artificial fragrance (FSSAI basmati standard, 2023) |
Agreed per contract and confirmed by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Export documentation
Documents we prepare or arrange for each shipment:
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading
- Certificate of origin (preferential where an FTA applies)
- Phytosanitary certificate
- Fumigation certificate
- APEDA registration of the basmati export contract (RCAC)
- Certificate of analysis
- Weight and quality certificate
- Health certificate (EIC) where required
Frequently asked questions
What is the HS code for basmati rice exported from India?
Basmati Rice is usually classified under HS 100630 (Semi-milled or wholly milled rice, whether or not polished or glazed (basmati lines)). India's ITC(HS) carries separate 8-digit lines for basmati (e.g. 1006 30 20) and brown basmati under 1006 20; parboiled (sella) basmati is still basmati for policy purposes. Confirm the 8-digit line with your customs broker.
Which countries import the most basmati rice from India?
Saudi Arabia (US$1,203.7 mn), Iran (US$753.1 mn) were among the largest buyers of basmati rice by value in FY2024-25, derived from the destination shares published by apeda.gov.in.
Where is basmati rice produced in India?
Main clusters: Karnal (rice-mill belt) / Amritsar-Tarn Taran / Taraori, Haryana; Punjab; Uttar Pradesh; Uttarakhand; J&K; Kakinada rice-export hub / Raipur / Burdwan, Andhra Pradesh; Chhattisgarh; West Bengal; Telangana; Odisha; UP; SEEPZ Mumbai / Coimbatore gold cluster / Jaipur, Maharashtra; Tamil Nadu; Gujarat; West Bengal; Rajasthan.
Which documents are needed to export basmati rice?
Commercial invoice, Packing list, Bill of lading, Certificate of origin (preferential where an FTA applies), Phytosanitary certificate, Fumigation certificate, APEDA registration of the basmati export contract (RCAC). Destination-specific registrations are listed on each market page.
What is the difference between 1121 steam, sella and raw basmati?
All three are the same variety processed differently: raw is milled directly, steam rice is steamed before milling, and sella is fully parboiled (soaked, steamed and dried), giving a firmer golden or creamy grain that suits Gulf cooking.
What grain length should I specify for 1121 basmati?
Buyers typically specify an average grain length of 8.30-8.40 mm for premium 1121; the FSSAI basmati identity standard sets a regulatory minimum of 6.61 mm for any basmati.
Can you ship EU-compliant basmati?
EU-grade basmati is sourced from paddy grown under residue-controlled programmes and each lot is tested for tricyclazole (EU MRL 0.01 mg/kg) and other pesticides before shipment.
Market guides
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