The Netherlands market for Indian kabuli chickpeas
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Indian community in Netherlands (Ministry of External Affairs estimate): 234,000 (PIO 178,035 incl. Surinamese-Hindustani community + NRI 55,965).
Kabuli Chickpeas specification for Netherlands 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 and checked against the Netherlands requirements below, then confirmed by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Import requirements in Netherlands
| Requirement | Regulator | Document / registration |
|---|---|---|
| Border control & pre-notification | Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE | CHED in TRACES NT; entry via BCP |
| Increased official controls | DG SANTE (Reg. (EU) 2019/1793 as amended by 2026/1206) | Official certificate + lab results for Annex II items; CHED; identity/physical check at set frequency |
| Pesticide MRLs | DG SANTE (Reg. 396/2005) | Tricyclazole 0.01 mg/kg (Reg. 2017/983); check buprofezin, isoprothiolane, thiamethoxam |
General guidance as of November 2026. Confirm with your customs broker or the regulator before shipping. Final regulatory decisions require professional verification.
Shipping kabuli chickpeas to Netherlands
Typical sea transit Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) → Rotterdam: 18-24 via Suez; 28-35 via Cape days. Cape routing adds ~10 days (US DIA Jun-2024 figure cited on Wikipedia Red Sea crisis page)
Container loading (estimate): 20' about 22-25 MT bagged, 40' HC about 25-26 MT (weight-limited).
Quoted on FOB, CFR, CIF, FCA; CIF Rotterdam is the common choice for first orders.
Where buyers are in Netherlands
| City | Port / airport | Buyer sectors |
|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam | Port of Amsterdam (Europe #4 by tonnage; cocoa, petroleum); Rotterdam for deep-sea contain | HORECA, South Asian & Surinamese grocery wholesalers, Air-freight perishables & pharma importers (Schiphol) |
| Rotterdam | Port of Rotterdam (Europe's largest seaport; Maasvlakte I/II deep-sea container terminals) | HORECA, South Asian grocery wholesalers (Hindustani-Surinamese community), Freight forwarders/3PLs and bonded-warehouse operators |
| The Hague | Scheveningen (fishing harbour only); Rotterdam for containers (nearby) · Rotterdam The Hag | South Asian grocery & spice wholesalers (largest Hindustani-Surinamese community in NL), HORECA, textile/sari importers |
| Eindhoven | Rotterdam / Antwerp (inland; ~100 km) · Eindhoven (EIN); Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) main int | HORECA, South Asian grocery importers (large Indian expat engineer community), Electronics & precision-engineering component buyers |
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to import kabuli chickpeas into Netherlands?
Key requirements: Border control & pre-notification — Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE (CHED in TRACES NT; entry via BCP); Increased official controls — DG SANTE (Reg. (EU) 2019/1793 as amended by 2026/1206) (Official certificate + lab results for Annex II items; CHED; identity/physical check at set frequency); Pesticide MRLs — DG SANTE (Reg. 396/2005) (Tricyclazole 0.01 mg/kg (Reg. 2017/983); check buprofezin, isoprothiolane, thiamethoxam). Your customs broker confirms the full list for your HS line.
How long does shipping from India to Netherlands take?
Typically 18-24 via Suez; 28-35 via Cape days port-to-port from Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) to Rotterdam, plus 5–10 days for stuffing, export clearance and destination clearance (estimates).
Does Netherlands have a trade agreement with India?
EU competence — India–EU FTA concluded 27 Jan 2026, not yet in force [S7][S8]; India graduated from EU GSP for 2026–2028 (Reg. (EU) 2025/1909) so MFN duties apply until the FTA enters into force (expected 2027) [06 §C.4] A preferential certificate of origin is needed to claim any reduced duty.
Which HS code applies to kabuli chickpeas from India?
Usually HS 071320. Netherlands 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
Request a quote: kabuli chickpeas to Netherlands
Tell us grade, quantity and your port in Netherlands. We quote CIF/CFR with the destination documents listed above.