The UAE is the world's second-largest cardamom importer, behind only Saudi Arabia, yet almost none of it is grown there. The country consumes and re-exports large volumes imported mainly from India and Guatemala. If you're a buyer, distributor, or trader planning your first shipment of Indian green cardamom into Dubai or Abu Dhabi, this guide walks through what it actually takes: the correct HS code, what you'll pay in duty (and how the India-UAE trade agreement can reduce it), the documents your Indian supplier must provide, and how the shipment clears customs and food-safety control.
Get these details right before you sign a contract and your first shipment moves cleanly. Get them wrong and cargo can sit at Jebel Ali accruing storage costs while paperwork is corrected.
A note on figures:
Duty rates, tariff classifications, and food-control rules change and depend on your exact product line. Everything below reflects the position in 2026, but confirm the specifics for your consignment with a licensed UAE customs broker or against the current tariff before you file.
Why import cardamom from India?
India is the origin Gulf buyers associate with the finest green cardamom, and within India, Idukki district in Kerala is the heart of it. Idukki accounts for the large majority of the country's small cardamom production, grown high in the Cardamom Hills of the Western Ghats at roughly 900 to 1,400 metres. At that altitude, with cool nights, dual-monsoon rainfall, forest-shade cultivation, and mineral-rich laterite soil, the pods develop their deep green colour, clean aroma, and the high essential-oil content that defines export-grade Elettaria cardamomum. The Alleppey Green type carries a GI tag.
We grow the Njallani variety, known as "Green Gold," on our estate at Pampupara, Kadasikadavu, Vandanmettu, in Udumbanchola — one of the villages that make up the high-range Idukki Zone A belt (alongside Vandanmedu and Anakkara). Njallani is a farmer-bred cultivar prized for its large, thick-skinned, deep green capsules, and because those pods run big, our lots grade predominantly into the premium Bold and Extra Bold bands. This is the same growing belt served by the Spices Board's Puttady (Idukki) e-auction, one of the regulated centres whose weekly sales anchor cardamom prices.
For Gulf buyers, India also offers a practical edge. Cochin (Kochi), Kerala's principal port and one of the country's major spice-trading hubs, gives established export routes with frequent sailings to the Gulf. And since the India-UAE CEPA, Indian origin carries a genuine tariff advantage over other sources.
The Middle East and GCC together account for a large share of global cardamom demand, driven by its central role in Arabic coffee (gahwa) and regional cuisine, which is why reliable India-UAE supply lines matter so much.
Typical export specifications
A quick reference for what export-grade Idukki green cardamom should look like on a spec sheet or in a contract. Always confirm the exact figures for your specific lot on the Certificate of Analysis (CoA).
Grades, the Spices Board of India designations, sorted by pod size and colour:
| Grade | Name | Commonly traded size | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| AGEB | Alleppey Green Extra Bold | 8 mm and above | Premium retail and Gulf gahwa; large jumbo pods |
| AGB | Alleppey Green Bold | 7 to 8 mm | The main export workhorse; retail and spice blends |
| AGS | Alleppey Green Superior | 6 to 7 mm | Grinding, powder, and tea or chai blends |
Size cut-offs vary slightly by trade convention; grading also weighs colour retention and bulk density.
Key quality parameters:
- Variety: grown from the Njallani ("Green Gold") cultivar, bred in the Idukki hills and known for large, thick-skinned, deep green capsules that grade mostly into the Bold and Extra Bold bands.
- Bold size: graded by pod diameter (6 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm and above); Gulf buyers favour Bold 7 mm and Extra Bold 8 mm+. Export lots are typically sortex-cleaned and colour-sorted.
- Colour: vibrant, deep green; yellowing or browning signals age or over-drying and downgrades the lot.
- Moisture: set by your contract and evidenced on the CoA — lower moisture protects colour and guards against mould in transit. Erthiq dispatches green cardamom at ≤ 12%. Confirm the figure your buyer or destination market requires before contracting, since retail and processing programmes differ.
- Volatile (essential) oil: the key marker of aroma strength. Buyers commonly specify a minimum in the contract; the tested figure for your lot is reported on the Certificate of Analysis rather than quoted as a fixed estate average.
- Admixture and foreign matter: effectively nil in export lots (admixture usually capped around 1 percent).
- International reference: whole-capsule requirements are set out in ISO 882-1; EU-bound lots additionally require pesticide-residue (MRL) compliance evidenced on the CoA.
Packing and shelf life:
- Food-grade, moisture-proof packing, sized to the programme. Erthiq packs in 5 kg, 10 kg, 25 kg and 50 kg units, in food-grade lined PP bags, vacuum packs for retail-ready lots, or jute, consolidated into master cartons for air-freight consignments. Private-label packing to the buyer's own artwork is available. Vacuum packing best protects colour and oil; jute is used for lower grades and carries more colour-loss risk. Fumigation-treated where required.
- Labelling on each pack: product name, grade, batch or lot number, net weight, and any destination-specific marks.
- Shelf life is roughly 18 to 24 months for vacuum-packed whole pods kept cool and dry (about 15 to 22 °C, away from light and humidity).
- Loadability: approximately 9 to 10 MT in a 20 ft container and around 20 MT in a 40 ft.
The correct HS code for cardamom
Cardamom falls under HS heading 0908, the international code covering cardamom, nutmeg, and mace. Whole (neither crushed nor ground) cardamom sits under sub-heading 090831, and the exact 8-digit Indian tariff item depends on the variety:
- 0908 31 20: small, Elettaria, Alleppey green (the most common green cardamom export code)
- 0908 31 30: small, Coorg green
- 0908 31 40: small, bleached, half-bleached, or bleachable
- 0908 32: cardamom that is crushed or ground (powder, seeds, husk)
Pick the code that matches your exact product form. The internationally standard code is six digits; the UAE extends it under its national tariff schedule (commonly to eight digits) for the import declaration. Classification determines your duty rate and how customs assesses the consignment, so if you have any doubt about the right sub-heading, your customs broker can request an advance ruling from Dubai Customs before the goods ship, giving you certainty on the code in advance.
How much customs duty will you pay?
Start from the baseline: the UAE applies the GCC Common External Tariff of 5 percent on the CIF value of goods imported from outside the customs union. That 5 percent is the default an importer pays if nothing else applies.
The India-UAE CEPA is what changes the maths. Under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, in force since 1 May 2022, the UAE has eliminated or reduced duties on the large majority of Indian tariff lines, and spices are among the food categories covered. In practice this means Indian-origin cardamom can qualify for preferential (reduced or zero) duty rather than the standard 5 percent.
The critical caveat: CEPA preference is not automatic. To claim it, your consignment needs a CEPA Certificate of Origin, a preferential certificate specifically referencing the India-UAE CEPA, issued through India's eCoO 2.0 system (the Spices Board of India is among the authorised issuing agencies). Without that document, UAE customs applies the standard 5 percent duty. Because some tariff lines were liberalised immediately and others are phased, confirm the current CEPA treatment for your exact cardamom code before you price the deal.
Separately, note that most basic foods on the GCC's exemption list enter duty-free regardless of origin, but whether whole cardamom sits on that specific list should be verified against the current tariff rather than assumed.
VAT: On top of any duty, imports into the UAE attract 5 percent VAT on the duty-inclusive value. If the importing business is VAT-registered, this is generally recoverable through its VAT return.
Documents your Indian supplier must provide
This is where deals succeed or stall. A large part of a smooth UAE clearance depends on paperwork your exporter in India hands over. Before you sign, confirm your supplier can and will provide:
- Commercial invoice: accurate description, HS code, value, and Incoterms (FOB or CIF).
- Packing list: carton count, net and gross weights, batch and lot numbers.
- Certificate of Origin, and to claim the tariff benefit, a preferential CEPA Certificate of Origin referencing the India-UAE CEPA (via India's eCoO 2.0 system).
- Phytosanitary certificate: issued in India, certifying the consignment is pest-free and healthy. Non-negotiable for an agricultural product and checked on arrival.
- Health certificate or Certificate of Analysis (CoA): lab verification that the cardamom meets food-safety parameters (moisture, and freedom from contamination).
- Bill of lading or airway bill: the transport document.
One structural point worth settling early: who is the exporter of record? Whoever files the Indian export declaration must hold an IEC (Importer-Exporter Code), and Spices Board registration applies to the party exporting the consignment. Some estates ship on their own IEC; many supply through a registered export partner who handles the filing and documentation. Both structures are routine in the Indian spice trade, and neither tells you much on its own about the quality of what is in the carton.
What is worth asking about is the material and the trail behind it: which estate or belt the lot came from, the grade and size band, the moisture and colour on the CoA, and whether the producer is FSSAI-licensed and can document origin down to the farm. Ask early who will act as exporter of record so the paperwork is arranged before you contract — not after the lot is committed.
Registration and food control on the UAE side
Separate from the shipment documents, there are registrations the UAE-based importer is responsible for. If you're the importer, you'll need:
- A valid UAE trade licence covering food trading.
- Registration with the food-control authority in your emirate. For Dubai, this is Dubai Municipality's Food Safety Department (via its food import system, FIRS); Abu Dhabi and the other emirates have their own authorities.
- Product registration, with label and documentation review, before the product can be sold.
When a shipment arrives, the importer submits an import notification, and food control assigns an inspection slot. Samples may be drawn for laboratory testing at facilities such as the Jebel Ali food-safety labs, checking for microbiological contamination, pesticide residues, heavy metals, additive levels, and label accuracy. This testing typically takes 2 to 5 working days.
One practical note on which authority governs your shipment: the national standards are consistent, but the procedures are handled by the emirate where you're licensed and where the goods enter. The useful question isn't "which rules apply?" but "which authority will examine this product first?"
Labelling requirements
For cardamom sold onward in retail or consumer packs, UAE labelling rules apply and are strictly enforced:
- Arabic labelling is mandatory (alongside English).
- Labels must follow GSO standards. These differ from EU formats, so European-style panels usually need reformatting.
- Sufficient remaining shelf life on arrival.
- Any organic claim must be backed by certification from a body the UAE recognises.
Bulk cardamom for re-processing or re-export has different practical requirements than retail-ready packs, so clarify your end use with your clearing agent early.
The clearance process, step by step
- Contract and confirm documents. Agree Incoterms, grade, and specs; confirm your supplier will issue the phytosanitary certificate, CoA, and, to claim the tariff benefit, the CEPA Certificate of Origin.
- Supplier ships and couriers originals. Ensure document originals travel ahead of, or with, the cargo.
- File the customs declaration. Your broker files via Dubai Customs' Mirsal 2 system (or the relevant emirate's platform) under the correct HS code, claiming CEPA preference where the origin certificate supports it.
- Submit the food import notification. Through the emirate's food-control system; food control assigns inspection.
- Inspection and lab testing. Samples may be pulled at Jebel Ali or the port of entry (2 to 5 working days).
- Duty, VAT, and release. Pay any applicable charges; on a clear result, cargo is released.
Common reasons shipments get held
Most delays are avoidable and trace back to documentation:
- Missing or invalid CEPA Certificate of Origin, meaning the standard 5 percent duty is charged instead of the preferential rate.
- Incorrect or missing Arabic labelling.
- Missing or invalid phytosanitary or health certificates.
- HS code misdeclaration.
- Insufficient remaining shelf life.
- Lab results exceeding UAE pesticide-residue limits, which is why sourcing from a supplier who can produce a clean, credible lab report matters so much.
Non-compliant consignments can be held at the port, re-exported at the importer's expense, or destroyed, so the cost of cutting corners on paperwork is real.
A note on payment terms
For a first transaction between parties who haven't traded before, payment structure protects both sides. Established norms range from advance TT and Letters of Credit (LC at sight) to documents-against-payment terms. A Letter of Credit is often the most balanced first-deal instrument: the exporter is assured of payment on presenting compliant documents, and you as the buyer only pay once the shipping and quality documents are in order. A supplier comfortable working on LC terms is generally a supplier confident in their ability to deliver to spec.
Frequently asked questions
What is the HS code for cardamom imported into the UAE? Cardamom falls under HS heading 0908. For whole small green cardamom exported from India, the common 8-digit code is 0908 31 20 (Alleppey green); Coorg green is 0908 31 30, and crushed or ground cardamom falls under 0908 32. The UAE extends the international 6-digit code under its national tariff schedule for the declaration.
How much import duty is charged on cardamom in the UAE? The standard GCC customs duty is 5 percent of CIF value. However, under the India-UAE CEPA, Indian-origin cardamom can qualify for reduced or zero duty, but only if a valid CEPA Certificate of Origin is presented. Without it, the 5 percent rate applies. Confirm the current CEPA treatment for your exact tariff line before importing.
What is a CEPA Certificate of Origin and who issues it? It is a preferential certificate of origin referencing the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, used to claim the agreement's tariff benefits at UAE customs. It is issued through India's eCoO 2.0 system by authorised agencies, which include the Spices Board of India.
What variety of cardamom does Erthiq grow? We grow the Njallani ("Green Gold") variety on our estate in Udumbanchola, Idukki, in the Zone A belt. It is a farmer-bred cultivar known for large, thick-skinned, deep green capsules, which grade mostly into the premium Alleppey Green Extra Bold (AGEB) and Bold (AGB) bands. We supply these grades against RFQ.
Do I need to register my cardamom before importing into Dubai? Yes. The UAE-based importer must hold a food trade licence, register with the emirate's food-control authority (Dubai Municipality's Food Safety Department for Dubai), and register the product before it can be sold.
Is Arabic labelling required for cardamom sold in the UAE? Yes. Retail food products require Arabic labelling alongside English, following GSO standards.
What documents must my Indian supplier provide? A commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin (ideally a CEPA preferential certificate), phytosanitary certificate, health certificate or certificate of analysis, and the transport document. Settle early who acts as exporter of record, since that party must hold an IEC to file the Indian export declaration — some estates ship on their own IEC, others through a registered export partner. Separately, check that the producer is FSSAI-licensed and can document the lot back to a named estate.
Sourcing Indian green cardamom for the UAE market? Get in touch to discuss grades, specifications, and terms, or view our green cardamom page for AGEB and AGB grades, bold sizes (7 mm, 8 mm+), and Njallani green cardamom from our Idukki Zone A estate, with a Certificate of Analysis arranged per consignment.