The South Africa market for Indian kabuli chickpeas
Egypt and North African markets import kabuli chickpeas; Egyptian food imports need Arabic labelling and NFSA clearance.
Indian community in South Africa (Ministry of External Affairs estimate): 1,800,000 (PIO 1,722,600 + NRI 77,400; Durban has the largest Indian-origin population outside India).
Kabuli Chickpeas specification for South Africa 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 South Africa requirements below, then confirmed by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Import requirements in South Africa
| Requirement | Regulator | Document / registration |
|---|---|---|
| Import permit | DALRRD | Import permit; PSC/vet certificate |
| Labelling | Dept of Health | R.146 labelling; R.3337 (2023) updates |
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 South Africa
Typical sea transit Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) → Durban: 12-18 days. Direct India-South Africa services exist; NRCS LOA before import for regulated goods
Container loading (estimate): 20' about 22-25 MT bagged, 40' HC about 25-26 MT (weight-limited).
Quoted on FOB, CFR, CIF, FCA; CIF Durban is the common choice for first orders.
Where buyers are in South Africa
| City | Port / airport | Buyer sectors |
|---|---|---|
| Johannesburg | Inland (~560 km); Port of Durban via City Deep inland container terminal (rail/road) · O.R | Indian diaspora (Fordsburg/Lenasia) grocery & spice importers, textile/garment wholesalers, HORECA |
| Cape Town | Port of Cape Town (container & fruit exports) · Cape Town International (CPT) | HORECA & hotel supply, Cape Malay/Indian grocery & spice importers, pharma |
| Durban | Port of Durban (sub-Saharan Africa's busiest container port) / Richards Bay (bulk, ~160 km | largest Indian-origin population outside India - grocery/spice/rice importers, textile & garment wholesalers, HORECA |
| Pretoria (Tshwane) | Inland; Port of Durban via City Deep / Rosslyn · O.R. Tambo International Johannesburg (JN | HORECA, government procurement, auto plants (components) |
| Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) | Port of Port Elizabeth / Port of Ngqura (Coega, deepwater container) · Chief Dawid Stuart | HORECA, automotive OEM & tier suppliers (components, rubber |
| East London | Port of East London (only river port in SA; car exports) · King Phalo Airport East London | HORECA, Mercedes-Benz tier suppliers, ELIDZ manufacturers |
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to import kabuli chickpeas into South Africa?
Key requirements: Import permit — DALRRD (Import permit; PSC/vet certificate); Labelling — Dept of Health (R.146 labelling; R.3337 (2023) updates). Your customs broker confirms the full list for your HS line.
How long does shipping from India to South Africa take?
Typically 12-18 days port-to-port from Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) to Durban, plus 5–10 days for stuffing, export clearance and destination clearance (estimates).
Does South Africa have a trade agreement with India?
No FTA in force. India–SACU PTA: terms of reference signed 12 Aug 2026, negotiations under way [S7]. MFN duties apply (SA tariff book) A preferential certificate of origin is needed to claim any reduced duty.
Which HS code applies to kabuli chickpeas from India?
Usually HS 071320. South Africa 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 South Africa
Tell us grade, quantity and your port in South Africa. We quote CIF/CFR with the destination documents listed above.