The Nepal market for Indian kabuli chickpeas
Bangladesh took 21.86% of India's pulses exports in FY2024-25 (APEDA), mainly desi chickpeas and lentil-type pulses; demand swings with its own crop.
Indian community in Nepal (Ministry of External Affairs estimate): 700,000 NRIs.
Kabuli Chickpeas specification for Nepal orders
| Parameter | Typical export value |
|---|---|
| Size | 42-44, 44-46, 58-60, 60-62, 75-80 count per ounce or 8-12 mm screen (typical) |
| Moisture | ≤ 12-13% (typical) |
| Admixture / foreign matter | ≤ 0.5% (typical) |
| Damaged / weevilled | ≤ 1-2% (typical) |
| Splits | ≤ 1-2% (typical) |
| Processing | Machine cleaned, sortexed, double polished (typical) |
Final values are agreed per contract, then confirmed by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Shipping kabuli chickpeas to Nepal
Typical sea transit from India: Rail/road: Kolkata → Birgunj 3–7 d; Delhi/NCR road → Sunauli/Raxaul 2–4 d (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) days.
Container loading (estimate): 20' about 22-25 MT bagged, 40' HC about 25-26 MT (weight-limited).
Quoted on FOB, CFR, CIF, FCA; CIF Nepal is the common choice for first orders.
Where buyers are in Nepal
| City | Port / airport | Buyer sectors |
|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu | Landlocked; Kolkata/Haldia (India) via Birgunj ICD; Visakhapatnam also permitted; Chobhar | hotel/HORECA, importers/distributors of virtually all consumer & industrial goods (Nepal imports ~60%+ from India - petroleum, vehicles |
| Pokhara | Landlocked; Kolkata via Birgunj/Bhairahawa (Sunauli) routes · Pokhara International (PKR, | hotel/HORECA & tourist retail, construction materials, regional distributors for Gandaki |
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from India to Nepal take?
Typically Rail/road: Kolkata → Birgunj 3–7 d; Delhi/NCR road → Sunauli/Raxaul 2–4 d (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) days at sea (estimate).
Does Nepal have a trade agreement with India?
India–Nepal Treaty of Trade (bilateral, renewed 2016/2023 — duty-free access on primary products, preferential on manufactures with rules of origin) + Treaty of Transit; SAFTA [S7][S9] A preferential certificate of origin is needed to claim any reduced duty.
Which HS code applies to kabuli chickpeas from India?
Usually HS 071320. Nepal applies its own national tariff extension to the 6-digit code; confirm the full line with your broker.
What does 42-44 count mean?
It is the number of chickpeas per ounce (28.35 g); a lower count means larger seeds. 42-44 is a bold premium grade.
Do you supply desi chickpeas and chana dal too?
Yes, desi (brown) chickpeas and split chana dal can be supplied for South Asian diaspora markets alongside kabuli grades.
When is the new crop available?
The Indian rabi chickpea harvest runs roughly February-April; new-crop shipments start from about April.
Related guides
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Tell us grade, quantity and your port in Nepal. We quote CIF/CFR with full export documentation.