The United Arab Emirates market for Indian cashew kernels
UAE: Dubai Municipality FIRS requires the importer to register the company and each food item (label assessment) before arrival; Arabic/English labelling per GSO 9; India-UAE CEPA preference with a CEPA certificate of origin. UAE and Saudi Arabia are major buyers of whole grades for retail and gifting.
Indian community in United Arab Emirates (Ministry of External Affairs estimate): 4,344,008 (NRI 4,326,248 + PIO 17,760) — largest NRI population after Saudi/US.
Cashew Kernels specification for United Arab Emirates orders
| Parameter | Typical export value |
|---|---|
| Count (white wholes) | W180: 170-180/lb; W240: 220-240/lb; W320: 300-320/lb; W450: 400-450/lb (AFI-style grading) |
| Moisture | ≤ 5% (typical) |
| Broken in wholes | ≤ 5% (typical) |
| Lower grade allowance | ≤ 5% (typical) |
| Packing atmosphere | Vacuum with CO2/N2 flush |
| Aflatoxin / Salmonella | Per destination limits; Salmonella absent (typical) |
Final values are agreed per contract and checked against the United Arab Emirates requirements below, then confirmed by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Import requirements in United Arab Emirates
| Requirement | Regulator | Document / registration |
|---|---|---|
| Federal food registration / import permit | MOCCAE | ZAD registration; import permit for plant/animal products |
| Company & product registration before arrival | Dubai Municipality Food Safety Dept | FIRS (Food Import and Re-export System) registration; label assessment; import request per consignment |
| Halal certificate | MoIAT-recognised halal bodies / Emirates Halal mark | Halal certificate + halal slaughter certificate |
| Conformity certificate | MoIAT | ECAS certificate (1 yr) / EQM (3 yrs) |
General guidance as of November 2026. Confirm with your customs broker or the regulator before shipping. Final regulatory decisions require professional verification.
Shipping cashew kernels to United Arab Emirates
Typical sea transit Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) → Jebel Ali: 3-6 days. Direct daily/near-daily services; feeders from all Indian ports; Gulf services were affected by the 2026 Hormuz disruption - check carrier advisories
Supply window: Indian cashew kernels is mainly produced or harvested Indian RCN harvest Feb-Jun (VERIFIED APEDA/GCC crop calendar); processing year-round on imported RCN. Allow 3-6 days at sea plus 5–10 days for inspection, export clearance and United Arab Emirates customs when you set delivery dates.
Container loading (estimate): 20' about 700 cartons (≈ 15.9 MT) of 50 lb, 40' HC about 1,300-1,400 cartons (≈ 29-31 MT) limited by payload - often loaded 1,200 cartons.
Quoted on FOB, CFR, CIF, FCA; CIF Jebel Ali is the common choice for first orders.
Where buyers are in United Arab Emirates
| City | Port / airport | Buyer sectors |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai | Jebel Ali Port (DP World) / Port Rashid · Dubai International (DXB); Al Maktoum Internatio | Indian diaspora grocery & restaurants (Indians ~51% of Asian expats per Wikipedia), textile/garment wholesalers, re-export traders to Africa/CIS/Iran |
| Abu Dhabi | Khalifa Port (Abu Dhabi Ports) / Zayed Port (Mina Zayed) · Abu Dhabi International / Zayed | Indian grocery chains (LuLu HQ), government/oil-sector catering & FM contractors, HORECA |
| Al Ain | Inland; Khalifa Port (Abu Dhabi) / Jebel Ali (Dubai) · Al Ain International (AAN) | Indian grocery retail, agri-input importers, food processors |
| Ajman | Ajman Port (small); Jebel Ali / Port Khalid for container volume · Sharjah International ( | low-cost manufacturing units (garments, Indian-run grocery and restaurants, plastics |
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to import cashew kernels into United Arab Emirates?
Key requirements: Federal food registration / import permit — MOCCAE (ZAD registration; import permit for plant/animal products); Company & product registration before arrival — Dubai Municipality Food Safety Dept (FIRS (Food Import and Re-export System) registration; label assessment; import request per consignment); Halal certificate — MoIAT-recognised halal bodies / Emirates Halal mark (Halal certificate + halal slaughter certificate); Conformity certificate — MoIAT (ECAS certificate (1 yr) / EQM (3 yrs)). Your customs broker confirms the full list for your HS line.
How long does shipping from India to United Arab Emirates take?
Typically 3-6 days port-to-port from Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) to Jebel Ali, plus 5–10 days for stuffing, export clearance and destination clearance (estimates).
Does United Arab Emirates have a trade agreement with India?
India–UAE CEPA in force since 1 May 2022 — zero/reduced duty on ~97% of UAE tariff lines over time with a CEPA certificate of origin [S7][S8][06 §C.1] A preferential certificate of origin is needed to claim any reduced duty.
Which HS code applies to cashew kernels from India?
Usually HS 080132. United Arab Emirates applies its own national tariff extension to the 6-digit code; confirm the full line with your broker.
What does W320 mean?
White wholes with 300-320 kernels per pound - the most widely traded cashew grade.
Which grade is the largest?
W180 ('king cashew') is the largest commercial white-whole grade, at about 170-180 kernels per pound.
How are cashews packed for export?
In 50 lb (22.68 kg) cartons holding two vacuum tins or flexible pouches flushed with CO2 or nitrogen.
Related guides
Request a quote: cashew kernels to United Arab Emirates
Tell us grade, quantity and your port in United Arab Emirates. We quote CIF/CFR with the destination documents listed above.