Export Cinnamon and Cassia from India: Buyers, Process & Requirements
How to export Cinnamon and Cassia from India, who buys it, the quality and documentation buyers expect, and how to connect with verified export buyers.
Top export markets for Cinnamon and Cassia
How to export Cinnamon and Cassia from India
Obtain an IEC from DGFT and register with the Spices Board for your CRES. Grade bark by quill quality, colour and thickness and test for volatile oil, moisture, coumarin (higher in cassia, which some markets limit), pesticide residues against destination MRLs, ETO where banned and microbial safety. Secure a phytosanitary certificate from Plant Quarantine and any food-safety or fumigation certificate the buyer requires. Sign a contract fixing grade, oil content, Incoterms, inspection and a safe payment route such as a letter of credit. Pack in clean food-grade packaging, arrange container fumigation if needed and file the shipping bill via a customs broker. Verify the latest MRL, coumarin, ETO and microbial rules on the Spices Board, APEDA and FSSAI portals before shipping.
Quality and standards buyers expect
Key parameters are volatile oil, bark colour and thickness, moisture, coumarin level for cassia, pesticide residues within MRLs, ETO absence and microbial counts. Clean, aromatic bark with controlled coumarin suits stricter food markets.
Packaging
Quills, broken bark or powder in lined cartons, PP woven bags or laminated food-grade pouches. Keep moisture low to protect aroma, and label type, grade, lot and origin.
Demand and opportunity
Steady global demand for both true cinnamon and cassia in food and beverage uses, with India a smaller origin against Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Coumarin, residue and microbial compliance shape acceptance.
Common pitfalls and scams to avoid
Rejections can come from high coumarin in cassia for limited markets, pesticide residue exceedances, ETO detection or microbial issues, so test before loading. Watch for fake buyers taking samples without paying, and never send advance fees to unverified agents.
Indicative HS code: HS 0906 11 (cinnamon, Cinnamomum zeylanicum), HS 0906 19 (other, including cassia); confirm exact 8-digit code on DGFT or ICEGATE. Confirm the exact 8-digit code, current export policy, fees and MRLs on the official Spices Board / APEDA portal before you ship.