Key facts
- India imported US$5,477 million of pulses in FY2024-25 (static.pib.gov.in).
- Sourced from 3 origin countries: CA, AU, RU.
- Certifications available from the supply base: FSSAI licence, Phytosanitary certificate, HACCP.
- Typical minimum order: Typically 100–500 t in containers; vessel lots of 20,000 t+ for large importers (typical).
Product overview
India is the world's largest pulse importer. DGFT's 'Pulses' group fell from US$5.48 bn in FY2024-25 to US$3.57 bn in FY2025-26 (−34.8%, tier 1) as import duties returned. Canada and Australia are the main lentil sources; Canada and Russia supply yellow peas.
Buyers are dal mills (Indore, Katni, Akola, Latur, Kolkata, Chennai), besan and snack makers who use yellow peas, wholesalers and government buffer agencies. Volumes are large and turns are fast, but margins depend on timing duty changes and Indian harvests.
Policy changes often: lentils carry 10% duty (from Mar 2025), yellow peas 30% from 1 Nov 2025, and DGFT keeps yellow peas 'Free' with import-monitoring registration. Plant-quarantine methyl-bromide fumigation requirements also apply. The research file rates this 3/5: high volume but needs hedging discipline.
HS note: Lentils are 0713.40; yellow peas 0713.10.10; chickpeas 0713.20; pigeon peas (tur) 0713.60. Duty and DGFT policy are set per 8-digit line and change frequently.
Specifications
| Lentil types | Red whole (football), red split, green (Laird/Eston) (typical) |
|---|---|
| Purity / foreign matter | Foreign material ≤ ~0.5%; damaged ≤ ~2% (contract spec, typical) |
| Moisture | ≤ ~14% (typical) |
| Grade | Canada No.1/No.2 (CGC) or Australian GTA/Pulse Australia standards (typical) |
| Fumigation | Methyl bromide fumigation per India PQ requirements (check current derogations) |
Typical commercial values. Final specifications are fixed per contract and verified by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Grades & variants
Red lentils – whole
For milling into masoor dal in India.
Red lentils – split/football
Ready-to-pack dal.
Yellow peas
For besan, snacks and dal substitution.
Packaging, MOQ & container loading
| Packing | Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bags / bulk | 50 kg PP bags or bulk-in-container liners; break-bulk vessels for large lots (typical) | Fumigation before or on arrival per PQ rules |
Container load (estimate): 20' GP ~24–26 t bagged or bulk-in-liner (typical) · 40' HC Weight-limited; 20' preferred. Large volumes move break-bulk
Customisation: Cleaning/sortex grade, split vs whole, bag marking
Where Indian buyers are
Main Indian demand centres we distribute to.
Madhya Pradesh
Indore, Katni
Large dal-milling centres
Maharashtra
Mumbai, Akola, Latur
Port-linked trade and dal mills
West Bengal
Kolkata
Major masur (lentil) consumption and milling centre
Tamil Nadu
Chennai, Virudhunagar
South-India dal and besan trade
Rajasthan / Gujarat
Bikaner, Rajkot
Besan and namkeen makers using peas and chana
Sourcing origins
CA
Saskatoon, Regina, Vancouver (port)
Saskatchewan is the world's largest lentil and pea exporter; containers via Vancouver/Prince Rupert.
AU
Horsham (Victoria), Port Adelaide, Melbourne (port)
Red lentils from Victoria and South Australia; short transit relative to Canada.
RU
Novorossiysk, Rostov-on-Don
Low-cost yellow peas and some lentils via Black Sea ports; check payment channels and sanctions screening.
Origin market notes
United States & Canada
Canada is the largest lentil and pea supplier; transit to India ~35–45 days (ASSUMPTION). Indian methyl-bromide fumigation rules have periodically needed derogations for Canadian shipments — confirm current status.
Australia & New Zealand
Australian red lentils arrive faster than Canadian ones and are well accepted by Indian millers; the Nov–Jan harvest sets new-crop pricing.
Other markets
Russia supplies low-cost yellow peas via Black Sea ports; sanctions screening and payment-route checks are needed.
General guidance, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your customs broker or the regulator.
Trade policy note
As of 2026-11 (verify each shipment — this policy changes often): lentils carry 10% duty (5% BCD + 5% AIDC) since Mar 2025; yellow peas carry 30% (10% BCD + 20% AIDC) for bills of lading after 31 Oct 2025 (Notification 46/2025-Customs, reported). DGFT keeps yellow peas 'Free' with import-monitoring registration, reportedly extended to 31 Mar 2027 (secondary source). A plant-quarantine import permit, phytosanitary certificate and fumigation are required; FSSAI FICS clearance applies; stock limits may be imposed. Sources: https://globaltradealert.org/state-act/95049-india-reintroduction-of-customs-duty-and-agriculture-infrastructure-and-development-cess-on-yellow-peas; https://taxguru.in/dgft/dgft-allows-free-import-yellow-peas-march-31-2027.html; https://madhyamamonline.com/amp/india/govt-imposes-10-duty-on-lentils-extends-yellow-peas-duty-freeimport-1387607.
Quality control
- • Official grade certificate at origin (e.g. CGC for Canada)
- • Pre-shipment inspection (SGS/Bureau Veritas)
- • Fumigation certificate
- • FSSAI sampling at import
Certifications available
- • FSSAI licence
- • Phytosanitary certificate
- • HACCP
Held by the producing supplier for the specific lot; copies shared with the quote.
Shipping documents
- • Commercial invoice
- • Packing list
- • Bill of lading
- • Certificate of origin
- • Phytosanitary certificate
- • Lab analysis report (aflatoxin, moisture, pesticide residues)
- • FSSAI import NOC (obtained in India via FICS)
- • Plant-quarantine import permit
- • Fumigation certificate
- • Grade/weight certificate
- • Import monitoring registration (yellow peas)
Trade data
| Period | Flow | Value (USD mn) | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2024-25 | India importsLine: Pulses (yellow peas, lentils, chana, tur, urad) | 5,477 | verified | static.pib.gov.in |
DGFT 'Pulses' FY25 5,477 -> FY26 3,573 (-34.8%) as duties returned; FY25 volume ~6.7-7.3 Mt (sources differ)
Import routes
Frequently asked questions
What is the import duty on lentils in India?
Lentils have carried 10% duty (5% basic customs duty plus 5% AIDC) since March 2025. Pulse duties change often, so check the latest CBIC notification before contracting.
What is the import duty on yellow peas?
Yellow peas carry 30% (10% basic duty plus 20% AIDC) for bills of lading dated after 31 October 2025. DGFT keeps them 'Free' to import with import-monitoring registration.
Do imported pulses need fumigation?
Yes. India's Plant Quarantine Order requires fumigation, usually methyl bromide at origin, plus an import permit and phytosanitary certificate. Some origins have had temporary derogations — check current rules.
Which countries supply lentils and peas to India?
Canada and Australia for lentils; Canada and Russia for yellow peas. Myanmar and East Africa supply other pulses such as tur and urad.
Why did India's pulse imports fall in FY2025-26?
Duties returned on lentils and yellow peas, and better domestic crops cut import demand; DGFT data show a 34.8% fall in import value.
Request a quote for Lentils (Masur) & Yellow Peas
Tell us grade, quantity and destination. We reply with options, packaging and pricing on your Incoterm.
