Indian import policy
As of 2026-11: apples need a plant-quarantine import permit and phytosanitary certificate (PQ Order 2003), FSSAI FICS clearance, and entry through notified ports. MFN: 50% duty plus a minimum import price of ₹50/kg (GTRI via FreshPlaza; sources differ on the MIP level — verify). New Zealand: FTA quota from 20 Oct 2026 at 25% duty, min CIF US$1.25/kg. USA: proposed quota at 25% duty and ₹80/kg MIP, not confirmed in force. EU: FTA quota not yet in force. Sources: https://www.freshplaza.com/north-america/article/9811666/indian-apple-growers-pressured-by-rising-u-s-imports/; https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9884034/india-sets-import-quotas-and-tariffs-for-new-zealand-apples-and-kiwifruit/; https://ppqs.gov.in.
Check the current DGFT, BIS and CBIC notifications before contracting.
Importing fresh apples into India: requirements
| Requirement | Authority | Document |
|---|---|---|
| Importer-Exporter Code; GST; ICEGATE | DGFT / GSTN / CBIC | IEC; GSTIN; ICEGATE DSC registration |
| Import policy classification | DGFT | ITC(HS) policy: Free/Restricted/Prohibited/STE; import authorisation if Restricted |
| Customs declaration & duty | CBIC / ICEGATE | Bill of Entry; BCD + AIDC + SWS(10% of BCD) + IGST |
| Import clearance NOC | FSSAI | FICS NOC after Bill of Entry; FSSAI Central licence |
| Import permit before shipment | DPPQS (Plant Quarantine) | Import permit PQ-01/PQ-02; PSC with additional declarations |
| Trusted trader status | CBIC | AEO-T1/T2/T3/LO |
Import trend
Apples USD 417.6 mn CY2024, 558,000 t FY25 (GTRI); kiwi >43,000 t FY24 vs ~18,160 t domestic; DGFT 'Fruits & vegetables' group 3,268 -> 3,824 (+17%)
Where Indian buyers are
Delhi — Delhi (Azadpur Mandi). Asia's largest fruit and vegetable market; north-India distribution
Maharashtra — Mumbai (Vashi APMC), Pune. Main port of entry (Nhava Sheva) and west-India distribution
Tamil Nadu — Chennai (Koyambedu). South-India wholesale hub; Chennai port entry
Karnataka / Telangana — Bengaluru, Hyderabad. Modern trade and quick-commerce demand
West Bengal — Kolkata. East-India wholesale; Kolkata port entry
Frequently asked questions
What is the import duty on apples in India?
The MFN regime is 50% duty with a minimum import price (₹50/kg per GTRI; sources differ, so verify). New Zealand apples get a 25% in-quota duty with a minimum CIF of US$1.25/kg from 20 October 2026, and a US quota at 25% with an ₹80/kg MIP has been proposed but not confirmed in force.
What is the minimum import price for apples?
Apples imported under the MFN regime cannot clear below the minimum import price — reported as ₹50/kg by GTRI, with some reports of higher levels. FTA quotas set their own minimum CIF values. Confirm the current DGFT notification.
Do apples need a plant quarantine permit?
Yes. Fresh apples need an import permit under the Plant Quarantine Order 2003 issued before shipment, a phytosanitary certificate from the origin, and entry through a notified port.
Which countries supply apples to India?
Iran, Turkey, the USA, New Zealand, South Africa, Poland and Chile; Iran supplied over a third of the 2025/26 season.
How do FTA apple quotas work?
Under the India-NZ FTA, DGFT issues electronic quota authorisations; in-quota apples pay 25% duty if the CIF value is at least US$1.25/kg and they arrive between 1 April and 31 August.
Import routes
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