Cumin seed export from India: grades, HS code and container loads (2026 buyer’s guide)
India is the world’s main source of cumin. In FY25 (April 2024 to March 2025) India exported 6.17 lakh tonnes of cumin worth $732 million, up 6% in volume on the year before (India Seatrade News). Most of it is traded through the Unjha market in north Gujarat.
This guide covers what an importer needs to specify, check and plan before booking a container.
HS code
Whole cumin, neither crushed nor ground, is classified under HS 0909.31. Ground cumin is HS 0909.32. Use the code your customs broker confirms for your country, as national tariff lines add further digits.
The two export grades
| Grade | Typical purity | Cleaning | Typical buyers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore quality | 98% – 99% | Machine-cleaned | Middle East, South and Southeast Asia, re-exporters |
| Europe quality | 99% – 99.5% | Machine-cleaned and sortexed (colour-sorted) | EU, UK, US, spice grinders and brands |
Purity is the share of whole cumin seed by weight. The rest is admixture: dust, stones, broken seed and other seeds. Moisture is typically held at 9% or below to keep the lot stable in transit. Your contract should name both numbers, and the lab Certificate of Analysis (COA) for your lot should confirm them.
For the EU and UK, also ask for pesticide-residue (MRL) testing before shipment. A lot that passes Indian standards can still fail EU limits.
How much fits in a container
Cumin is light for its volume, so containers fill up before they hit weight limits.
| Container | Approx. load, bagged | 25 kg bags | 50 kg bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20′ FCL | ~15 MT | ~600 | ~300 |
| 40′ FCL | ~26 MT | ~1,040 | ~520 |
These are planning figures. Actual load depends on bulk density, bag type and the shipping line’s limits. Use our container planner to size an order.
When to buy
New-crop cumin reaches Unjha from roughly February to April, after a winter crop. Prices often move most around arrivals, as the size of the new crop becomes clear. If you need a fixed price across the year, discuss a forward contract before the season.
Documents to expect
- Phytosanitary certificate
- Certificate of Origin
- Certificate of Analysis from an accredited lab
- Fumigation certificate
- Commercial invoice, packing list and Bill of Lading
Read our guide to import documents and Incoterms for what each one does.
Checklist before you confirm
- Grade, purity and moisture written into the contract
- A pre-shipment sample from the actual lot, not a showroom sample
- Residue testing if you sell into the EU or UK
- Packing: 25 kg or 50 kg PP or jute bags, and your private label if needed
- Incoterm (FOB, CFR or CIF) and destination port
- Payment terms: LC at sight, cash against documents, or advance plus balance against B/L copy
Ready to price a lot? See our cumin specifications or request a quote.