Sri Lanka Sourcing Guide

Import Nutmeg & Mace from Sri Lanka to India

What it takes to source Nutmeg & Mace 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.

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Nutmeg & Mace from Sri Lanka
ProductNutmeg & MaceHS 0908.11
Indicative FOB$8–18 / 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 Nutmeg & Mace crop typically lands April–June and November–December, see the harvest calendar.

Why source Nutmeg & Mace from Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan nutmeg and its lacy red aril, mace, are grown in the wet-zone hills and valued for their high essential-oil content. Sold whole or ground, and as feedstock for nutmeg oil and oleoresin.

Forms & grades: Whole nutmeg & mace, or ground; conventional or organic; also for oil / oleoresin. Browse current listings on our Nutmeg & Mace 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 Nutmeg & Mace 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 Nutmeg & Mace 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

Nutmeg & Mace is indicatively $8–18 / 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 Nutmeg & Mace into India

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

Request quotes →

Want to check quality first? Order a sample. Or, for a Sri Lankan grocery store, see grocery wholesale.

Frequently asked questions

Is Nutmeg & Mace 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 Nutmeg & Mace from Sri Lanka cost?

Indicatively $8–18 / 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 Nutmeg & Mace to other markets

Germany · UK · USA · The Netherlands · The UAE · China · Australia · Canada

Other Sri Lankan products to India

Ceylon Cinnamon · Ceylon Tea · Coconut Oil · Black Pepper · Desiccated Coconut · Cloves · Virgin Coconut Oil · Cardamom · Coir & Coco Peat · Coconut-Shell Activated Carbon · Essential Oils

Sourcing tools

Commodity prices · HS code finder · Harvest calendar · Container calculator · Freight calculator · Incoterms explained · GSP+ / DCTS duty guide · Export documents