Sri Lanka Sourcing Guide

Import Cardamom from Sri Lanka to India

What it takes to source Cardamom from Sri Lanka and bring it into India: tariff treatment, import requirements, shipping times and indicative pricing, with a free route to quotes from verified exporters.

Import from Sri Lanka to India: every product, one page →

Cardamom from Sri Lanka
ProductCardamomoHS 0908.31
Indicative FOB$50–80 / kggrade-dependent
Tariff routeISFTA (FTA)see below
Sea transit~3–7 daysfrom Colombo

India is one of Sri Lanka’s largest export markets, taking US$886 million of goods in 2024 (UN Comtrade). Fresh Cardamom crop typically lands October–February, see the harvest calendar.

Why source Cardamom from Sri Lanka

Ceylon cardamom (true cardamom, Elettaria cardamomum) is grown in Sri Lanka’s cool central highlands and prized for its aroma and bold green pods. Available whole or ground, conventional or organic.

Forms & grades: Green pods (bold / AGEB grades), whole or ground; conventional or organic. Browse current listings on our Cardamom category page.

Duty & tariff treatment for India

Sri Lanka and India have a Free Trade Agreement (ISFTA, in force since 2000) giving duty-free or preferential access on most products. Sensitive agricultural items carry quotas, though, for example Ceylon tea (a 50% tariff preference on up to 15 million kg a year) and pepper (2,500 MT a year at zero duty, under an import authorisation from India’s DGFT), and a negative list applies. Confirm your product’s treatment and quota availability.

ISFTA preference requires an ISFTA Certificate of Origin meeting the agreement’s value-addition and direct-consignment rules.

Always confirm the current rate. Tariffs and preference schemes change. Check your exact HS line in the India Customs (ICEGATE), and estimate duty + freight + insurance together with our landed-cost calculator. We don’t publish line-item tariff figures because they move and depend on your precise product and origin proof.

Import requirements for India

Typical requirements for bringing Cardamom into India include:

  • Import through an Indian importer with an IEC (Importer-Exporter Code) and, for food, FSSAI clearance.
  • A phytosanitary certificate for plant products and compliance with FSSAI food-safety and labeling standards.
  • For tea and pepper specifically, confirm available ISFTA quota before shipping.

Your exporter prepares the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading and certificate of origin; see our export documents checklist for the full set.

Certificates this market asks for

Lists of Sri Lankan suppliers holding each one, taken from the scheme’s own public register. A certificate covers named products, so our Trade Desk confirms it covers your order.

Shipping & lead time from Colombo

Just 3–7 days by sea from Colombo to Chennai/Tuticorin/Cochin/Nhava Sheva. India is Sri Lanka’s closest large market, ideal for fast, frequent shipments. Most Cardamom moves FOB Colombo or CIF India. Agree the Incoterm up front so responsibilities are clear. Estimate ocean freight and your landed cost with the freight & landed-cost calculator.

Indicative pricing

Cardamom is indicatively $50–80 / kg FOB, varying by grade, order volume, packaging and certification. Track current reference ranges on our Ceylon commodity prices page, then get a firm, current quote for your exact specification below.

Get quotes to import Cardamom into India

Tell us your grade, volume and destination. We’ll match you with verified Sri Lankan Cardamom exporters and get you firm FOB/CIF quotes, free, no obligation.

Request quotes →

Want to check quality first? Ordina un campione. Or, for a Sri Lankan grocery store, see grocery wholesale.

Frequently asked questions

Is Cardamom from Sri Lanka duty-free into India?

Sri Lanka and India have a Free Trade Agreement (ISFTA, in force since 2000) giving duty-free or preferential access on most products. Sensitive agricultural items carry quotas, though, for example Ceylon tea (a 50% tariff preference on up to 15 million kg a year) and pepper (2,500 MT a year at zero duty, under an import authorisation from India’s DGFT), and a negative list applies. Confirm your product’s treatment and quota availability. Confirm the exact rate for your HS line via the India Customs (ICEGATE), or estimate your full landed cost with our landed-cost calculator.

What does Cardamom from Sri Lanka cost?

Indicatively $50–80 / kg FOB, depending on grade, volume and certification. See live ranges on our Ceylon commodity prices page, then request a firm quote.

How long does shipping from Colombo take?

Just 3–7 days by sea from Colombo to Chennai/Tuticorin/Cochin/Nhava Sheva. India is Sri Lanka’s closest large market, ideal for fast, frequent shipments.

Related sourcing guides & tools

Import Cardamom to other markets

Germania · UK · USA · Paesi Bassi · Emirati Arabi Uniti · Cina · Australia · Canada

Other Sri Lankan products to India

Ceylon Cinnamon · Tè di Ceylon · Olio di cocco · Pepe nero · Cocco essiccato · Chiodi di garofano · Olio di cocco vergine · Noce moscata & mace · Fibre di cocco & Coco Peat · Carbone attivo da guscio di noce di cocco · Oli essenziali

Sourcing tools

Commodity prices · Ricerca codice HS · Calendario dei raccolti · Container calculator · Calcolatore noli · Incoterms explained · GSP+ / DCTS duty guide · Export documents