Export Clove from India: Buyers, Process & Requirements
How to export Clove from India, who buys it, the quality and documentation buyers expect, and how to connect with verified export buyers.
Top export markets for Clove
How to export Clove from India
Obtain an IEC from DGFT and register with the Spices Board for your CRES. Grade cloves by colour, head intactness and stem content and test for volatile oil, moisture, 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 bags, arrange container fumigation if needed and file the shipping bill via a customs broker. Verify the latest MRL, ETO and microbial rules on the Spices Board, APEDA and FSSAI portals before shipping.
Quality and standards buyers expect
Key parameters are volatile oil, intact heads with low stem and khoker content, colour, moisture, pesticide residues within MRLs, ETO absence and microbial counts. Whole, oil-rich, dark brown cloves earn the better grades.
Packaging
Whole cloves in new PP woven or jute bags with food-grade liners, or steam-treated cloves in laminated pouches. Keep moisture low to protect oil and aroma, and label grade, lot and origin.
Demand and opportunity
Steady global demand for culinary and oil-extraction cloves, though India imports as well as exports and competes with larger origins. Oil content with residue, ETO and microbial compliance shapes acceptance.
Common pitfalls and scams to avoid
Rejections can come from low oil content, pesticide residue exceedances, ETO detection or microbial issues, so test before loading. Watch for fake enquiries that take samples without paying, and never send advance fees to unverified agents.
Indicative HS code: HS 0907 (cloves, whole fruit, cloves and stems); 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.