At a glance
- Incoterms
- FOB, CFR, CIF, FCA
India's black pepper export trade
India exported US$124.5 mn of black pepper in FY2024-25 according to indianspices.com.
Largest destinations by value share: unavailable by country
Export markets we serve
| Market | What matters there | Sea transit from India |
|---|---|---|
| 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); Enhanced controls (FSA / port health) | 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 |
| 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 |
| 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) |
| 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) |
| 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) |
Transit times are typical port-to-port estimates; regulatory items are the main product-specific requirements, not an exhaustive list.
Where black pepper is sourced in India
Karnataka — Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru, Hassan, Uttara Kannada. Largest producing state (66,028 t, 2024-25, Spices Board)
Kerala — Idukki, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Kannur. Malabar Pepper GI; Kochi trading hub
Tamil Nadu — Nilgiris, Dindigul. Smaller volumes
- Kochi spice trade hub (Mattancherry) / Wayanad (Kerala; Karnataka) · ships via Cochin · season: Harvest Dec-Feb (ASSUMPTION)
Typical export specification
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Bulk density | 500-570 g/L for MG1/bold; ≥ 550-600 g/L for TGEB (typical) |
| Moisture | ≤ 12% (typical) |
| Light berries | ≤ 2-5% (typical) |
| Piperine | ≥ 4-5% (typical for Malabar/Tellicherry) |
| Volatile oil | ≥ 2.5-3.0 ml/100 g (typical) |
| Microbiology | Steam-sterilised: TPC < 10^4-10^5 cfu/g, Salmonella absent in 25 g (typical) |
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
- Spices Board quality/health certificate where required
- Certificate of analysis (incl. EtO, pesticides, aflatoxin)
- Fumigation certificate (if specified)
Frequently asked questions
What is the HS code for black pepper exported from India?
Black Pepper is usually classified under HS 090411 (Pepper of the genus Piper, neither crushed nor ground). Crushed or ground pepper is 0904 12. Light berry and pinheads are under 0904 11 with separate Indian 8-digit lines.
Where is black pepper produced in India?
Main clusters: Kochi spice trade hub (Mattancherry) / Wayanad, Kerala; Karnataka.
Which documents are needed to export black pepper?
Commercial invoice, Packing list, Bill of lading, Certificate of origin (preferential where an FTA applies), Phytosanitary certificate, Spices Board quality/health certificate where required, Certificate of analysis (incl. EtO, pesticides, aflatoxin). Destination-specific registrations are listed on each market page.
What is the difference between MG1 and TGEB pepper?
Both are Malabar-origin black pepper; TGEB (Tellicherry Garbled Extra Bold) is the larger, ≥ 4.75 mm berry grade and is sold at a premium, while MG1 is the standard export grade.
Can you supply steam-sterilised pepper?
Yes, steam-sterilised pepper with low microbial counts can be supplied through partner sterilisation plants for EU, UK and US buyers.
Is EtO testing done?
Spices Board requires ethylene oxide testing for EU/UK-bound spice consignments, and test certificates accompany the shipment.
Market guides
Get a quote for black pepper
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