India grows most of the world's turmeric, from the Erode, Nizamabad, Sangli and Salem markets to high-curcumin varieties from the North East. Demand comes from spice packers, food manufacturers and the health supplement industry. Buyers now test closely for curcumin, colour and contaminants, so quality documentation decides who wins the order.
To export turmeric from India, get an IEC, GST registration with an LUT, and a Certificate of Registration as Exporter of Spices (CRES) from the Spices Board. Classify the product under HS heading 0910 30 (fingers, bulbs or powder), test each lot for curcumin, moisture, microbes, pesticide residues and lead, pack in food-grade bags, and agree price and payment terms in writing.
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Registrations you need
- IEC, GST and LUT: the basic export set-up. See the IEC guide and the LUT guide.
- Spices Board CRES: required to export any spice, including turmeric. Our Spices Board registration guide explains the process.
- FSSAI licence: needed if you process or pack turmeric powder. See FSSAI for exporters.
- Buyer-country registration: the USA requires the facility to be registered with the FDA. See the FDA registration guide.
HS code and product forms
Turmeric falls under HS heading 0910 30. India's 8-digit codes separate fresh, dried (fingers and bulbs) and powdered turmeric, so check the exact code with your customs broker or our guide on finding the HS code.
- Whole fingers and bulbs: polished, unpolished or double polished. Grinders and packers abroad buy these.
- Powder: sold by curcumin content and mesh size, often in private label packs.
- Sliced or dried flakes and extracts: sold to the supplement and food colour industries.
Quality tests buyers ask for
A typical turmeric specification lists curcumin content, moisture, total ash, acid-insoluble ash, colour value, foreign matter, microbial counts (including Salmonella), aflatoxins, pesticide residues and heavy metals. Lead is now a priority check in many markets because of past cases of adulteration with lead chromate. Use an accredited lab, keep the report for each lot, and never use artificial colour. Quality problems in spices can lead to an import alert against your company, which blocks future shipments.
Packing and shipping
Whole turmeric usually ships in 25 to 50 kg jute or PP bags. Powder ships in multi-layer food-grade bags or retail packs inside cartons. Keep moisture low and use container liners to protect against humidity. You will need a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate (for whole turmeric) and lab reports. See the export documents checklist.
Pricing and payment
Turmeric prices move with each harvest, so track the main Indian market prices and keep quotes valid for a short period. Price per kg or per tonne, FOB or CIF, and state the curcumin level clearly, because higher curcumin earns a premium. Our FOB and CIF pricing guide shows how to build the quote. For new buyers, ask for an advance or a letter of credit.
Where to find turmeric buyers
Bangladesh, the UAE, the USA, Malaysia, the UK, Sri Lanka and Morocco are regular buyers, along with spice packers across Europe. On BuyGenix you can see current turmeric buyer requirements and country pages such as turmeric buyers in the USA, the UK and Malaysia. Send a sample with a lab report; our guide on sending export samples explains how.
Frequently asked questions
Is Spices Board registration mandatory to export turmeric?
Yes. Every spice exporter needs a Certificate of Registration as Exporter of Spices (CRES) from the Spices Board.
What is the HS code for turmeric?
Turmeric falls under HS heading 0910 30. India uses separate 8-digit codes for fresh, dried and powdered turmeric.
What curcumin level do buyers want?
It depends on use. Spice packers often accept 2 to 3 percent, while supplement and extract buyers ask for higher-curcumin varieties. State the tested level on every quote.
Which countries import turmeric from India?
Major buyers include Bangladesh, the UAE, the USA, Malaysia, the UK, Sri Lanka and Morocco.
Need Spices Board registration?
We help exporters get IEC, GST, LUT and Spices Board CRES so turmeric shipments clear without delays.
See Spices Board registration →Looking for buyers for your products?
See live requirements from importers and bulk buyers in India and abroad: what they want, how much, and where. Contact them directly with a BuyGenix membership.
