Import red chilli from India: whole, stemless, crushed and powder
Dried red chilli sourced from the Guntur, Warangal, Byadgi and Kashmir belts, matched to your heat and colour targets, tested for your market and shipped FOB or CIF.
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Tell us the grade and volume. A specialist replies within one business day.
What is red chilli from India, and where is it grown?
Dried red chilli from India comes mainly from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana (hot Guntur types such as Sannam and Teja), Karnataka (deep-red, milder Byadgi) and Kashmir (bright, mild Kashmiri types). Vats Consultancy supplies it whole, stemless, crushed or ground, FOB or CIF, with Spices Board export paperwork and tests for aflatoxin and illegal dyes arranged for your destination.
| Also called | Dry red chilli, lal mirch, red pepper |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Capsicum annuum (most Indian export types) |
| Customs code (HS, indicative) | 0904.21 (dried, whole) and 0904.22 (crushed or ground) |
| Main growing areas | Guntur and Prakasam (Andhra Pradesh); Khammam and Warangal (Telangana); Byadgi in Haveri district (Karnataka); Jammu and Kashmir |
| Season | Main harvest roughly January to April. Chilli is held in cold stores, so supply runs through the year. |
| Forms we supply | Whole with stem, Stemless, Crushed and flakes, Powder (single or double ground) |
| 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 red chilli types and grades can I buy?
Tell us your use and we will recommend a grade, or match a specification you already have.
Guntur Sannam (S4)
Hot and thick-skinned, the most widely exported type. A good all-round choice for retail, food processing and blends.
Teja (S17)
Very hot with high pungency. Used where heat matters most: hot sauces, snacks and extraction.
Byadgi
Wrinkled pods with deep red colour and low to medium heat. Chosen for colour, and for oleoresin. Byadgi chilli carries a Geographical Indication.
Kashmiri
Bright red and mild. Gives colour to curries and tandoori marinades without strong heat.
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.
- Heat. Measured in Scoville Heat Units (SHU). We quote against your target range and confirm with a test.
- Colour. Measured in ASTA colour units. It matters most for Byadgi and Kashmiri buyers.
- Moisture. Kept low so that the chilli stores and ships without mould.
- Stem and extraneous matter. Stem content, broken pods and foreign matter are agreed in the specification.
- Powder fineness and seed ratio. Grind size and how much seed is in the powder, agreed before production.
How is red chilli packed and shipped?
Packing and loading are agreed with you, and we confirm the exact loadable weight for your pack.
- Whole chilli in bags, often 10 to 25 kg, or in cartons for retail trade.
- Powder in lined bags or in retail packs, including private label.
- Full container load (FCL), or a smaller lot of palletised packs. We confirm the exact loadable weight for your pack.
Who buys it:
- Retailers and packers
- Spice blenders
- Food processors and sauce makers
- Restaurant and foodservice groups
- Oleoresin makers
- Ethnic food 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.
- Aflatoxin. Chilli is one of the spices that importing authorities test for aflatoxin. We arrange a test report per lot.
- Illegal dyes. Chilli powder is checked for illegal dyes such as the Sudan group.
- Pesticide residues. Importers apply the maximum residue limits of their own market, which differ between the UAE, the UK, the EU and the US.
- Ethylene oxide. Some markets look for ethylene oxide residue. Tell us if you need a test report or a steam-treated lot.
- Microbiology (ground chilli). Salmonella and total plate counts, where your market asks for them.
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 red chilli from India
Which Indian chilli is the hottest?
Teja (S17) and Guntur types are among the hottest commonly exported. The real heat of a lot depends on the crop year and the grade, so we quote against a target SHU range and confirm it with a test.
Which chilli gives the most colour with the least heat?
Byadgi and Kashmiri chillies. Both are chosen for deep red colour with low to medium heat.
Do you supply chilli powder as well as whole chilli?
Yes. We supply whole, stemless, crushed or flaked and powder, in bulk bags or in retail packs, including under your own brand.
What tests does a chilli shipment need?
It depends on where it is going. Most markets look at aflatoxin, illegal dyes and pesticide residues. We confirm the requirement for your destination before we quote and arrange the tests per lot.
What is the minimum order quantity?
A single pallet of retail packs is a common starting point, and bulk chilli usually moves by the container. Tell us your volume and we will confirm what is possible.
Can I see a sample before ordering?
Yes. A pre-shipment sample can be arranged so that you can check heat, colour and aroma against your specification.
Which terms do you quote?
FOB from the Indian port that suits the origin (for example Chennai, Nhava Sheva or Mundra) or CIF to your port. We can also advise on other terms.
Get a red chilli quote
Sourcing is coordinated from our Bengaluru office, with shipping and documentation handled through our RAKEZ, UAE office.
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