At a glance
- Incoterms
- FOB, CFR, CIF, FCA
India's cumin seed export trade
India exported US$732.4 mn of cumin seed 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 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 |
| 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 |
| 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) |
| 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) |
| 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); 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 cumin seed is sourced in India
Rajasthan — Jodhpur, Nagaur, Barmer, Jalore. Largest producing state (688,560 t)
Gujarat — Mehsana (Unjha), Banaskantha, Patan, Surendranagar. Unjha APMC - world's largest cumin market
- Unjha APMC - world's largest cumin market (Gujarat; Rajasthan) · ships via Mundra · season: Harvest Feb-Mar; new crop in market Mar-Apr (ASSUMPTION)
Typical export specification
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Purity | 98% / 99% / 99.5% (typical trade grades) |
| Moisture | ≤ 8-10% (typical) |
| Volatile oil | ≥ 2.5-3.0 ml/100 g (typical) |
| Total ash | ≤ 9.5% (typical) |
| Admixture (dust, stones, other seeds) | ≤ 0.5-2% depending on grade (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
- Certificate of analysis (EtO, pesticides, aflatoxin, Sudan dyes where relevant)
- Spices Board quality certificate where required
- Fumigation certificate (if specified)
Frequently asked questions
What is the HS code for cumin seed exported from India?
Cumin Seed is usually classified under HS 090931 (Seeds of cumin, neither crushed nor ground). Crushed or ground cumin is 0909 32.
Where is cumin seed produced in India?
Main clusters: Unjha APMC - world's largest cumin market, Gujarat; Rajasthan.
Which documents are needed to export cumin seed?
Commercial invoice, Packing list, Bill of lading, Certificate of origin (preferential where an FTA applies), Phytosanitary certificate, Certificate of analysis (EtO, pesticides, aflatoxin, Sudan dyes where relevant), Spices Board quality certificate where required. Destination-specific registrations are listed on each market page.
What is the difference between Singapore and Europe quality cumin?
They are purity grades: Singapore quality is typically 98-99% pure, Europe quality 99-99.5% with lower admixture, achieved by machine cleaning and sortexing.
When is the new cumin crop?
Cumin is harvested roughly February-April in Gujarat and Rajasthan; new-crop arrivals peak at Unjha in March-April.
Is pesticide testing done for EU cumin?
Yes - the EU has flagged pesticide non-compliance on Indian cumin, so EU lots are tested against EU MRLs before shipment.
Market guides
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