At a glance
- Incoterms
- FOB, CFR, CIF, FCA
India's sesame seeds export trade
India exported US$1,344 mn of sesame seeds in FY2024-25 according to static.pib.gov.in.
Largest destinations by value share: unavailable
Export markets we serve
| Market | What matters there | Sea transit from India |
|---|---|---|
| France | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE) | 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) |
| Germany | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE) | 21-27 via Suez; 31-38 via Cape days |
| Netherlands | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE) | 18-24 via Suez; 28-35 via Cape days |
| Italy | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE) | 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) | 15–20 d to Valencia/Barcelona/Algeciras via Suez (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2: typical liner schedules) |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Belgium | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE) | 19-25 via Suez; 29-36 via Cape days |
| Poland | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE) | 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) | 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) | 28–35 d to Aarhus/Copenhagen via Hamburg feeder (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| 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) |
| South Korea | General import clearance | 16–22 d to Busan via Singapore (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| China | General import clearance | 14–20 d to Shanghai/Ningbo; 12–16 d to Shenzhen via Singapore/Colombo (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Ireland | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE) | 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 sesame seeds is sourced in India
Gujarat — Rajkot, Amreli, Bhavnagar. Saurashtra hulling and sortex cluster
Uttar Pradesh — Jhansi, Lalitpur, Hamirpur. Bundelkhand sesame
Madhya Pradesh — Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh. Kharif sesame
West Bengal — Nadia, Murshidabad. Summer sesame
- Saurashtra hulling cluster / Bundelkhand (Gujarat; UP; MP; Rajasthan; West Bengal) · ships via Mundra · season: Kharif harvest Sep-Oct (ASSUMPTION)
- Kochi spice trade hub (Mattancherry) / Wayanad (Kerala; Karnataka) · ships via Cochin · season: Harvest Dec-Feb (ASSUMPTION)
- Haryana-Punjab-west UP processing belt (exports move via ICD Sonipat 29%, ICD Chowpayal 14%) (Uttar Pradesh; West Bengal; Punjab; Bihar; Rajasthan; Haryana) · ships via Mundra · season: Mustard flow Dec-Feb; litchi Apr; eucalyptus/multiflora Mar-May (ASSUMPTION; ICRIER lists mustard/litchi/eucalyptus as main flows)
Typical export specification
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Purity | Natural 99% / 99.9% / 99.95%; hulled 99.95-99.98% (typical) |
| Moisture | ≤ 6% (typical) |
| Oil content | ≥ 48-50% (typical) |
| FFA | ≤ 1.5-2% (typical) |
| Salmonella | Absent in 25 g (steam-treated on request) |
| EtO | Not detected (EU/UK) |
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, Salmonella, pesticides, aflatoxin)
- Health certificate where required
Frequently asked questions
What is the HS code for sesame seeds exported from India?
Sesame Seeds is usually classified under HS 120740 (Sesamum seeds, whether or not broken). Roasted sesame may be classified under 2008 19; sesame oil under 1515 50.
Where is sesame seeds produced in India?
Main clusters: Saurashtra hulling cluster / Bundelkhand, Gujarat; UP; MP; Rajasthan; West Bengal; Kochi spice trade hub (Mattancherry) / Wayanad, Kerala; Karnataka; Haryana-Punjab-west UP processing belt (exports move via ICD Sonipat 29%, ICD Chowpayal 14%), Uttar Pradesh; West Bengal; Punjab; Bihar; Rajasthan; Haryana.
Which documents are needed to export sesame seeds?
Commercial invoice, Packing list, Bill of lading, Certificate of origin (preferential where an FTA applies), Phytosanitary certificate, Certificate of analysis (EtO, Salmonella, pesticides, aflatoxin), Health certificate where required. Destination-specific registrations are listed on each market page.
What is the difference between natural and hulled sesame?
Natural sesame keeps its seed coat; hulled sesame has the coat removed, giving a whiter seed used for bakery toppings and tahini.
What purity is standard for export?
Sortexed natural sesame is usually 99.95% pure; hulled sesame 99.95-99.98%.
Is EtO testing done on sesame?
Yes - after the 2020-21 EU crisis, EU/UK-bound sesame is tested for ethylene oxide and Salmonella before shipment.
Market guides
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