Ajwain, also called carom seed or ajowan, is a small, sharp-tasting seed used in Indian, Middle Eastern and North African cooking and in home remedies. Gujarat and Rajasthan grow most of India's crop, and Iran, Afghanistan, Egypt and Pakistan also export it. Buyers judge it on aroma, cleanliness and thymol, the oil that gives ajwain its taste.
To export ajwain from India, get an IEC, GST registration with an LUT, a Spices Board registration (CRES) and an FSSAI licence. Ajwain is usually declared under HS heading 0910 (other spices); confirm the eight-digit code with your customs broker. Sell machine-cleaned or sortex-cleaned seed with stated purity, moisture and volatile oil, and test for pesticide residues and ethylene oxide for strict markets such as the EU.
Registrations you need
- Spices Board registration (CRES): ajwain is one of the spices listed by the Spices Board, so exporters need it. See the Spices Board registration guide.
- FSSAI licence: see FSSAI for exporters.
- IEC, GST and LUT: see the IEC guide and the LUT guide.
HS code and grades
Ajwain is usually declared under HS heading 0910 as an "other spice". Customs practice for the eight-digit code varies, so confirm it with your customs broker and keep it the same across invoice, shipping bill and phytosanitary certificate.
- Machine cleaned: for traders and wholesale markets, often 98 percent purity.
- Sortex cleaned: colour-sorted for higher purity, often 99 percent, for packers and retail brands.
Quality and testing
- Purity and foreign matter: stones, stems, dust and other seeds stated as maximums.
- Moisture: kept low to prevent mould in transit.
- Volatile oil: a measure of aroma and thymol content.
- Residues: pesticide residues, and ethylene oxide for the EU and other strict markets, tested by an accredited lab.
- Microbiology: Salmonella and other tests for food buyers.
A phytosanitary certificate is needed for most destinations. See the phytosanitary certificate guide.
Packing, shipping and pricing
Ajwain is packed in 25 kg or 50 kg PP or paper bags with liners and shipped in dry containers; retail packs go in printed pouches. Prices move with the crop in Gujarat and Rajasthan, so quote per tonne, FOB or CIF, with the grade and crop year. For new buyers, use an advance or a letter of credit. See the payment terms guide.
Where to find ajwain buyers
The Gulf countries, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Nepal buy ajwain for cooking, while importers in the UK, the USA, Canada and Australia supply South Asian grocery shops. Spice processors also buy it for thymol. On BuyGenix, check the spices and herbs and whole spice requirements, and set a product alert for ajwain. Each requirement goes to at most 5 suppliers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the HS code for ajwain?
Ajwain is usually declared under HS heading 0910 as an other spice. Confirm the eight-digit code with your customs broker.
Is Spices Board registration needed to export ajwain?
Yes. Ajwain is a listed spice, so exporters need the Spices Board CRES, plus an FSSAI licence.
What is the difference between machine-cleaned and sortex-cleaned ajwain?
Machine-cleaned seed is cleaned and graded by sieves, often to 98 percent purity; sortex-cleaned seed is also colour sorted, often to 99 percent, for packers and brands.
Where is ajwain grown in India?
Mostly in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Which countries buy ajwain?
The Gulf countries, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Nepal, the UK, the USA, Canada and Australia.
Need Spices Board registration?
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