The United States market for Indian incense sticks , dhoop & cones
Large market through spiritual, gift and ethnic stores and e-commerce. US duty on Indian goods as of 22 Oct 2026 (per our compliance research, secondary legal analysis): MFN rate plus a 10% Section 301 tariff in force since 24 Jul 2026; Section 232 goods (steel, aluminium, copper, autos/parts) pay the 232 rate instead. Re-verify before quoting landed cost.
Indian community in United States (Ministry of External Affairs estimate): 6,079,221 overseas Indians (PIO 3,767,737 + NRI 2,311,484) — largest PIO population worldwide.
Incense Sticks , Dhoop & Cones specification for United States orders
| Parameter | Typical export value |
|---|---|
| Stick length | 8, 9, 11 or 12 inch; bamboo core (typical) |
| Burn time | 30-45 minutes per stick for 9-inch masala sticks (typical) |
| Pack weight | 15-20 g hexagonal boxes; 12 boxes per inner pack (typical) |
| Cones | Standard and backflow cones, 10-40 per box (typical) |
| Moisture | Dry-cured sticks to avoid mould in transit (typical) |
Final values are agreed per contract, then confirmed by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Shipping incense sticks , dhoop & cones to United States
Typical sea transit Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) → New York / New Jersey: 24-30 via Suez; 32-40 via Cape days. India-USEC services route via Suez/Med when open; FDA prior notice >=8h before arrival by sea
Supply window: Indian incense sticks , dhoop & cones is mainly produced or harvested Year-round; festive (Diwali/Navratri, Ramadan, Christmas) spikes; Harvest Oct-Feb (ASSUMPTION). Allow 24-30 via Suez; 32-40 via Cape days at sea plus 5–10 days for inspection, export clearance and United States customs when you set delivery dates.
Container loading (estimate): 20' ~5-8 MT of boxed sticks; volume-limited, 40' HC ~10-14 MT.
Quoted on FOB, CFR, CIF, FCA; CIF New York / New Jersey is the common choice for first orders.
Where buyers are in United States
| City | Port / airport | Buyer sectors |
|---|---|---|
| New York City | Port of New York and New Jersey (Newark/Elizabeth, Staten Island, Red Hook) · John F. Kenn | Indian diaspora grocery & spice distributors, apparel/home-textile importers, gems & jewellery traders |
| Los Angeles | Port of Los Angeles / Port of Long Beach (San Pedro Bay) - largest US container gateway · | e-commerce 3PLs, apparel & home-textile importers (LA Fashion District), Indian diaspora grocers (Artesia) |
| Chicago | inland; rail from LA/Long Beach, NY/NJ, Savannah; Great Lakes port (Illinois International | Indian diaspora grocery distributors (Devon Ave), food & commodity traders, engineering/machinery & auto-component buyers |
| Houston | Port Houston (Bayport & Barbours Cut container terminals) · George Bush Intercontinental ( | Indian diaspora grocery & restaurants, oilfield & engineering goods buyers (pipes, valves |
| Seattle | Northwest Seaport Alliance (Seattle & Tacoma) · Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA) | e-commerce sellers/3PLs, aerospace & engineering-component buyers, Indian diaspora grocers (Bellevue/Redmond/Kent) |
| Atlanta | Savannah (Georgia Ports Authority), inland ~400 km · Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Internatio | Indian diaspora grocery & restaurant supply (large Gujarati community), engineering goods for Southeast distribution, home-textile/carpet trade |
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from India to United States take?
Typically 24-30 via Suez; 32-40 via Cape days port-to-port from Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) to New York / New Jersey, plus 5–10 days for stuffing, export clearance and destination clearance (estimates).
Does United States have a trade agreement with India?
No FTA; BTA under negotiation (talks 1–4 Jun 2026) [S7]. Tariff on Indian goods as of 22 Oct 2026: MFN + 10% Section 301 (from 24 Jul 2026), or the Section 232 rate for steel/aluminium/autos/copper; IEEPA tariffs struck down by the Supreme Court 20 Feb 2026 — verify weekly [06 §C.3] A preferential certificate of origin is needed to claim any reduced duty.
Which HS code applies to incense sticks , dhoop & cones from India?
Usually HS 330741. United States applies its own national tariff extension to the 6-digit code; confirm the full line with your broker.
Masala or charcoal sticks - what's the difference?
Masala sticks are rolled in a paste of natural resins, herbs and wood powder. Charcoal sticks are dipped in fragrance oil, which allows more scents at lower cost.
Can you make my own fragrance?
Yes. Custom fragrance oils can be developed for dipped sticks and some masala lines.
Do the sticks contain bamboo?
Standard agarbatti use a bamboo core. Dhoop sticks and cones are coreless.
Related guides
- Incense Sticks , Dhoop & Cones — product specifications
- Incense Sticks , Dhoop & Cones exporter from India
- India–United States trade guide
- Incense Sticks , Dhoop & Cones supplier in New York City
- Incense Sticks , Dhoop & Cones supplier in Chicago
- Incense Sticks , Dhoop & Cones supplier in Georgia
- Incense Sticks , Dhoop & Cones to Canada
- Incense Sticks , Dhoop & Cones to Germany
- Incense Sticks , Dhoop & Cones to Netherlands
Request a quote: incense sticks , dhoop & cones to United States
Tell us grade, quantity and your port in United States. We quote CIF/CFR with full export documentation.