Import cumin from India: seed and powder, Singapore and Europe quality
Cumin seed and powder from Gujarat and Rajasthan, cleaned to Singapore or Europe quality and quoted by purity, FOB or CIF.
Request a cumin quote
Tell us the grade and volume. A specialist replies within one business day.
What is cumin from India, and where is it grown?
Indian cumin comes mainly from Gujarat (the Unjha market) and Rajasthan, and is traded in cleaning grades such as Singapore quality and Europe quality, quoted by purity, commonly around 98 to 99.5 per cent. Vats Consultancy supplies machine-cleaned whole seed and ground cumin in bulk or retail packs, FOB or CIF, with the tests your destination requires.
| Also called | Jeera, zeera |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Cuminum cyminum |
| Customs code (HS, indicative) | 0909.31 (whole seed) and 0909.32 (crushed or ground) |
| Main growing areas | Gujarat (Unjha, Rajkot and the Saurashtra belt); Rajasthan (Jodhpur, Nagaur, Barmer, Jaisalmer) |
| Season | Sown in winter and harvested about February to March, with the new crop reaching markets from March and April. |
| Forms we supply | Whole seed, Ground cumin, Machine-cleaned and sortex-cleaned lots |
| 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 cumin types and grades can I buy?
Tell us your use and we will recommend a grade, or match a specification you already have.
Europe quality
Higher purity, cleaned by machine and optical sorting. Used where the buyer needs a very clean seed and low foreign matter.
Singapore quality
A widely traded export grade with good purity, a common choice for retail and blending.
Standard and feed-through lots
Lower cleaning levels for processors who clean or grind in their own plant.
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.
- Purity. The percentage of clean cumin seed, commonly quoted at about 98 to 99.5 per cent for export grades.
- Colour. Greenish brown with a uniform look is a quality sign.
- Volatile oil. The aroma. We can confirm it by laboratory test.
- Foreign matter and admixture. Stems, stones and other seeds, agreed as a maximum.
- Moisture. Kept low for safe storage and shipping.
How is cumin packed and shipped?
Packing and loading are agreed with you, and we confirm the exact loadable weight for your pack.
- Bulk bags, often 25 to 50 kg, or cartons.
- Retail packs and private label for ground cumin.
- Full container load, or smaller palletised lots.
Who buys it:
- Retailers and packers
- Spice blenders
- Food processors
- Foodservice distributors
- Ethnic food importers
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.
- Salmonella and plate counts (ground). Tested where required.
- Ethylene oxide. Tested or avoided where your market asks for it.
- Phytosanitary certificate. Provided when the destination requires it.
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 cumin from India
What do Singapore quality and Europe quality mean for cumin?
They are trade names for cleaning grades. Europe quality is cleaned to a higher purity, often with optical sorting. Singapore quality is slightly less strict. The exact purity percentage for each is agreed in your specification.
What purity should I ask for?
Export grades are commonly in the range of about 98 to 99.5 per cent. Choose the level your factory or customers need, and we will quote against it.
When is the new cumin crop available?
The crop is harvested around February to March and reaches the market from about March and April. Stocks keep the market supplied through the year.
Do you supply cumin powder?
Yes, ground cumin in bulk or in retail packs, including under your own brand.
What is the minimum order?
Retail packs can start from a pallet, and bulk cumin usually moves by the container.
Can I get a sample?
Yes. A sample lets you check purity, colour and aroma before you order.
Which terms do you quote?
FOB from a port such as Mundra, Kandla or Nhava Sheva, or CIF to your port.
Get a cumin quote
Sourcing is coordinated from our Bengaluru office, with shipping and documentation handled through our RAKEZ, UAE office.
Send an enquiry
The more detail you share, the more useful our first reply.