At a glance
- Incoterms
- FOB, CFR, CIF, FCA, CPT (air)
India's green cardamom export trade
India exported US$184.7 mn of small cardamom in FY2024-25 according to indianspices.com. That statistical line covers more than green cardamom; a product-level figure is not published.
Largest destinations by value share: unavailable by country
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); 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 |
| 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) |
Transit times are typical port-to-port estimates; regulatory items are the main product-specific requirements, not an exhaustive list.
Where green cardamom is sourced in India
Kerala — Idukki, Wayanad, Palakkad. Vandanmedu / Kumily / Puttady - core cardamom belt; Alleppey Green Cardamom GI
Tamil Nadu — Theni, Dindigul. Bodinayakanur auction centre
Karnataka — Kodagu, Hassan, Chikkamagaluru. Smaller volumes
- Idukki (Vandanmedu/Kumily) - Spices Board e-auction Puttady/Bodinayakanur (Kerala; Tamil Nadu; Karnataka) · ships via Cochin · season: Harvest Aug-Jan, peak Oct-Dec (ASSUMPTION)
Typical export specification
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Pod size | 6-7 mm, 7-8 mm, 8 mm+ (typical grades) |
| Litre weight | ≥ 415-450 g/L depending on grade (typical) |
| Moisture | ≤ 10-12% (typical) |
| Colour | Uniform deep green, no artificial colour |
| Volatile oil | ≥ 6-8 ml/100 g (typical) |
| Splits / empty pods | ≤ 2-5% (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 green cardamom exported from India?
Green Cardamom is usually classified under HS 090831 (Cardamoms, neither crushed nor ground). Indian ITC(HS) separates small (green) and large (black) cardamom at 8-digit level; ground cardamom is 0908 32.
Where is green cardamom produced in India?
Main clusters: Idukki (Vandanmedu/Kumily) - Spices Board e-auction Puttady/Bodinayakanur, Kerala; Tamil Nadu; Karnataka.
Which documents are needed to export green cardamom?
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 does AGEB mean?
Alleppey Green Extra Bold - a premium Indian green cardamom grade with large, well-filled pods, typically 7 mm and above.
How is cardamom priced?
By pod size, colour and litre weight; larger, greener and heavier pods command higher prices.
Is Indian cardamom competitive with Guatemala?
Indian cardamom is generally priced higher for its aroma and oil content; India's exports rose sharply in FY2025-26 (US$ 413.2 million per Spices Board).
Market guides
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