Export Chickpea (Chana, Kabuli and Desi) from India to Bangladesh
Process, requirements and buyer demand for exporting Chickpea (Chana, Kabuli and Desi) from India to Bangladesh.
Exporting Chickpea (Chana, Kabuli and Desi) to Bangladesh
Obtain an IEC from DGFT and register with APEDA. Clean, grade and size the chickpeas (kabuli are graded by seed count per ounce or millimetre size; desi by colour and split content), then test for moisture, foreign matter and residues at an accredited lab. Arrange a phytosanitary certificate, fumigation certificate where required and certificate of origin. Use a confirmed Letter of Credit or advance and document grade and tolerances. Confirm current export policy, any duty or restriction and destination requirements on the DGFT, APEDA and FSSAI portals before shipping, as pulse trade policy can change.
Bangladesh import rules and access
High-level: Bangladesh applies its own import permits, SPS and phytosanitary requirements, and labelling rules; many staples need an Import Permit and a phytosanitary certificate from India plus inspection on arrival. Some items face periodic import bans, quotas, or duty changes at short notice. India and Bangladesh both belong to SAFTA, which can lower tariffs on qualifying goods with a valid certificate of origin, but coverage and conditions change. Always confirm the current rule set with your importer and the Bangladesh food and plant protection authorities before shipping.
Demand for Chickpea (Chana, Kabuli and Desi) in Bangladesh
Honest context: Bangladesh is a large neighbouring market with heavy overland trade for staples and vegetables, so freight can be short and cheap via land ports. Demand is real but policy-sensitive: sudden import restrictions, anti-dumping moves, or forex shortages can pause trade. Treat it as a high-volume, lower-margin neighbour market and keep diversified buyers. Steady qualitative demand in the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and diaspora markets for both large kabuli and desi types used in curries, snacks and besan. Note India is also a large chickpea importer in some years, so export availability and policy vary; verify current rules.
Quality and standards
Buyers grade kabuli chickpeas by seed size and count, colour and uniformity, and desi by colour and damage; all check moisture, splits, foreign matter, insect damage and residue limits. Get accredited-lab testing and confirm the destination's current MRLs on APEDA and FSSAI references.
Payment and avoiding scams
Common terms are letter of credit, advance, or documents against payment; LC is widely used for larger shipments. Confirm the LC through your own bank before loading. Warn: never pay an upfront 'fee', 'tax clearance', or 'agent unlock' charge to release a promised payment or contract. Genuine buyers pay through banking channels, not personal wallets.
Import limits, duties and MRLs for Bangladesh change often. Confirm the current requirements with your importer and the Bangladesh food/plant authority, and India-side policy on the APEDA, under Ministry of Commerce; export policy via DGFT portal, before you ship.