Import cloves and cinnamon from India: whole and ground
Whole and ground cloves, cinnamon and cassia for bakery, blends and retail, supplied to specification, with the true origin of every lot stated.
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Tell us the grade and volume. A specialist replies within one business day.
What is cloves and cinnamon from India, and where is it grown?
Cloves and cinnamon are aromatic spices used in bakery, blends and retail. India grows cloves and cassia in small quantities, mainly in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, and most of the world supply comes from other origins. Vats Consultancy supplies whole cloves, cinnamon and cassia quills or sticks, and powders, to your specification, FOB or CIF, and states the true origin of each lot on the certificate of origin.
| Also called | Laung (clove), dalchini (cinnamon and cassia) |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Syzygium aromaticum (clove); Cinnamomum verum (true cinnamon); Cinnamomum cassia and related species (cassia) |
| Customs code (HS, indicative) | Cloves 0907.10 and 0907.20; cinnamon and cassia 0906.11, 0906.19 and 0906.20 |
| Main growing areas | Cloves: Kanyakumari and the Nilgiris (Tamil Nadu) and parts of Kerala; cassia and cinnamon: Kerala and Karnataka, in small quantities |
| Season | Clove harvest in India is mostly from about June to September; cinnamon and cassia are harvested in the rains and dried to quills. |
| Forms we supply | Whole cloves, Ground cloves, Cinnamon and cassia quills and sticks, Cinnamon and cassia powder, Broken pieces and chips |
| Terms | FOB or CIF, other terms on request |
| Minimum order | From a pallet of retail packs; bulk usually by the container |
Last reviewed 2 November 2026. Customs codes are indicative: your customs broker has the last word.
Which cloves and cinnamon types and grades can I buy?
Tell us your use and we will recommend a grade, or match a specification you already have.
Cloves
Whole dried flower buds, graded by size, share of heads and stems, and volatile oil. Immature or mixed lots are priced lower.
True (Ceylon) cinnamon
Thin, layered quills with a delicate flavour and a very low coumarin level.
Cassia
Thicker, harder bark with a stronger, more pungent taste. It is the cinnamon most used in everyday trade, and it contains much more coumarin than true cinnamon.
What quality checks do buyers use?
These are the points we agree in writing before we quote, and confirm with a sample or a laboratory test.
- Clove size and head share. Agreed as a minimum share of whole heads, with a limit on stems and immature buds.
- Volatile oil. Cloves are rich in oil. We confirm it by laboratory test when asked.
- Quill length and diameter. Set for cinnamon and cassia sticks, with limits on broken pieces.
- Coumarin. Cassia contains much more than true cinnamon, and the EU limits coumarin in certain bakery products.
- Moisture. Kept low for storage and shipping.
How is cloves and cinnamon packed and shipped?
Packing and loading are agreed with you, and we confirm the exact loadable weight for your pack.
- Bulk bags or cartons for whole spice.
- Retail packs and private label for ground spice.
- Full container load, or palletised smaller lots.
Who buys it:
- Bakeries and confectioners
- Retailers and packers
- Spice blenders
- Beverage and tea makers
- Foodservice distributors
Which tests, documents and rules apply?
Importing markets differ in what they test and what they accept. We confirm the requirement for your product and your destination before we quote, and arrange the tests per lot.
- Pesticide residues. We match the limits of the importing market.
- Coumarin (cinnamon and cassia). Important for bakery buyers in the EU. Tell us which you need, true cinnamon or cassia.
- Microbiology (ground spice). Salmonella and plate counts where required.
- Ethylene oxide. Tested or avoided where your market asks.
- Certificate of origin. It states the real origin of the goods. Tell us if Indian origin is required for your duty treatment.
Be clear about origin. India's own clove and true-cinnamon crops are small, and most traded cloves and cinnamon are grown in other countries. Tell us whether you need Indian-grown goods or goods of any origin that meet your specification. The certificate of origin always states the true origin of the lot.
Documents we prepare
- Commercial invoice and packing list. Matched to your purchase order and to the container loading.
- Certificate of origin. States the true origin of the goods, and supports preferential duty where a trade agreement applies.
- Phytosanitary certificate. Issued by India's plant quarantine authority where your destination requires it.
- Quality and residue certificates. Test reports for pesticide residues, aflatoxin or other contaminants where your market requires them.
Spice export destinations by country | International markets | Spices Board India
How does an order work?
The same four steps apply whether you order one pallet or a full container.
Specification
You share the spice, grade, form (whole or ground), packing and destination port.
Quote and sample
We quote FOB or CIF and arrange a pre-shipment sample.
Contract
Price, quantity and payment terms are agreed in writing.
Shipping and documents
We arrange loading, shipping and the export paperwork.
Common questions about importing cloves and cinnamon from India
Is cassia the same as cinnamon?
No. True cinnamon, also called Ceylon cinnamon, comes from Cinnamomum verum and has thin layered quills and a delicate taste. Cassia is a related but different bark, thicker and stronger, and the one most used in everyday trade.
Why does coumarin matter?
Cassia contains much more coumarin than true cinnamon. The EU sets limits for coumarin in certain bakery products, so bakery buyers there often choose true cinnamon or confirm the level by test.
Are your cloves and cinnamon grown in India?
India grows both in small quantities. We tell you the origin of every lot before you order, and the certificate of origin states it. If Indian origin is a must for you, say so and we will confirm what can be supplied.
Do you supply ground cloves and cinnamon powder?
Yes, in bulk or retail packs, including private label.
What is the minimum order?
Retail packs can start from a pallet. Bulk lots usually move by the container.
Can I get a sample?
Yes. A sample lets you check size, aroma and colour.
Which terms do you quote?
FOB from an Indian port, or CIF to your port.
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Sourcing is coordinated from our Bengaluru office, with shipping and documentation handled through our RAKEZ, UAE office.
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