At a glance
- Incoterms
- FOB, CFR, CIF
India's castor oil & derivatives export trade
India exported US$854.5 mn of castor oil in FY2024-25 according to chemexcil.in.
Largest destinations by value share: China (largest; share varies 25-50% by source, tier 7)
Export markets we serve
| Market | What matters there | Sea transit from India |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); REACH (ECHA) | 21-27 via Suez; 31-38 via Cape days |
| Netherlands | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); REACH (ECHA) | 18-24 via Suez; 28-35 via Cape days |
| France | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); REACH (ECHA) | 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); REACH (ECHA) | 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); REACH (ECHA) | 15–20 d to Valencia/Barcelona/Algeciras via Suez (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2: typical liner schedules) |
| United States | Import permit / phytosanitary (USDA APHIS); Lacey Act (USDA APHIS / CBP) | 24-30 via Suez; 32-40 via Cape days |
| Canada | Phytosanitary (CFIA) | 26-34 via Suez; 34-42 via Cape days |
| Belgium | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); REACH (ECHA) | 19-25 via Suez; 29-36 via Cape days |
| Poland | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); REACH (ECHA) | 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); REACH (ECHA) | 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); REACH (ECHA) | 28–35 d to Aarhus/Copenhagen via Hamburg feeder (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Japan | General import clearance | 18–25 d to Tokyo/Yokohama/Kobe via Singapore (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| South Korea | General import clearance | 16–22 d to Busan via Singapore (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| China | General import clearance | 14–20 d to Shanghai/Ningbo; 12–16 d to Shenzhen via Singapore/Colombo (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Ireland | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); REACH (ECHA) | 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 castor oil & derivatives is sourced in India
Gujarat — Banaskantha, Mehsana, Sabarkantha, Kutch. Seed belt; crushing and refining around Kadi, Deesa, Kandla
Rajasthan — Jalore, Barmer. ASSUMPTION - secondary seed area
- Upper Assam estates; Guwahati Tea Auction Centre (Assam) · ships via Kolkata/Haldia · season: First flush Mar-Apr; second flush May-Jun; rains Jul-Sep; autumnal Oct-Nov (ASSUMPTION - standard flush calendar)
- Darjeeling hills (87 gardens); Kolkata/Siliguri auctions (West Bengal) · GI tagged · ships via Kolkata/Haldia · season: First flush Mar-Apr; second flush May-Jun; autumn Oct-Nov (ASSUMPTION)
- Coonoor auction centre; Kochi auction (Tamil Nadu; Kerala; Karnataka) · ships via Cochin · season: Year-round plucking, peak Apr-Jun & Oct-Dec (ASSUMPTION)
- North Gujarat castor belt; crushing at Ahmedabad-Kadi-Deesa (Gujarat (>75-80% of crop); Rajasthan; AP) · ships via Mundra · season: Harvest Dec-Mar (ASSUMPTION)
Typical export specification
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Acid value (FSG) | ≤ 2.0 mg KOH/g (typical) |
| Moisture & volatiles | ≤ 0.25% (typical) |
| Hydroxyl value | 160-168 (typical) |
| Iodine value | 82-90 (typical) |
| Saponification value | 176-187 (typical) |
| Colour | Gardner ≤ 3 for FSG; lighter for pale pressed (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 / airway bill
- Certificate of origin (preferential where an FTA applies)
- Certificate of analysis
- Weight and quality certificate by surveyor
- Safety data sheet
- Non-GMO declaration
Frequently asked questions
What is the HS code for castor oil & derivatives exported from India?
Castor Oil & Derivatives is usually classified under HS 151530 (Castor oil and its fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified). Hydrogenated castor oil is 1516.20; 12-HSA is classed under 3823.19 or 2918.19 depending on purity; sebacic acid 2917.13. Confirm per derivative.
Where is castor oil & derivatives produced in India?
Main clusters: Upper Assam estates; Guwahati Tea Auction Centre, Assam; Darjeeling hills (87 gardens); Kolkata/Siliguri auctions, West Bengal; Coonoor auction centre; Kochi auction, Tamil Nadu; Kerala; Karnataka; North Gujarat castor belt; crushing at Ahmedabad-Kadi-Deesa, Gujarat (>75-80% of crop); Rajasthan; AP.
Which documents are needed to export castor oil & derivatives?
Commercial invoice, Packing list, Bill of lading / airway bill, Certificate of origin (preferential where an FTA applies), Certificate of analysis, Weight and quality certificate by surveyor, Safety data sheet. Destination-specific registrations are listed on each market page.
What is FSG castor oil?
First Special Grade: the benchmark industrial specification (low acid value and moisture, light colour) used in most contracts.
Is castor oil hazardous to ship?
No. Castor oil is not classified as dangerous goods. The toxic ricin stays in the seed meal, not the oil.
When is the new crop?
Castor is harvested in Gujarat from roughly January to April, so new-crop oil flows from early spring (ASSUMPTION - varies by season).
Market guides
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