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HS Code for Cashew Kernels Export from India: Whole vs Broken, CEPCI and Quality
By Abhishek Sadashiv · 16 years of experience in global logistics · Updated 5 October 2026 · 5 min read
Usual HS code for cashew kernels (export)
0801 32
Shelled cashew nuts (kernels). Whole and broken kernels take different last two digits.
Cashew kernels from Kollam, Mangalore and Goa have a strong name abroad, and the trade runs on well-known grades like W240 and W320. The HS code question is mostly about whole vs broken, and about where plain kernels end and processed cashews begin.
Here's how I'd work it out.
The usual HS code: 0801 32
| Level | Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter | 08 | Edible fruit and nuts |
| Heading | 0801 | Coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashew nuts |
| Subheading | 0801 32 | Cashew nuts, shelled |
| Tariff item | 0801 32 10 / 20 / 90 | Broken / whole / other |
Whole grades (W180 to W450, scorched wholes and so on) usually go under 0801 32 20. Splits, butts and pieces usually go under 0801 32 10. That's why the code ends at six digits here: it depends on your grade.
Why not 0801 31 or 2008 19?
Two common mix-ups:
- Raw cashew nuts in shell are 0801 31, not 0801 32. If you're trading RCN rather than processed kernels, it's a different line with different considerations.
- Roasted, salted or flavoured cashews are no longer just "shelled nuts". Once they're roasted or seasoned, they usually move to 2008 19 (nuts otherwise prepared or preserved). Exporters adding a masala or honey-roast range sometimes keep using 0801 32, and the buyer's customs may disagree.
Cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) is a separate product altogether.
Not sure which line your cashew kernels falls under?
Describe it or snap a photo. EximSetu asks the 2–4 questions that change the code, then gives the 8-digit HS code with reasoning, the duty in rupees and the compliance checklist.
Check my cashew kernels →What decides the final code
- Shelled or in shell: kernels 0801 32, raw nuts 0801 31.
- Whole or broken: decides the 8-digit item.
- Plain or prepared: roasted, salted, fried or flavoured usually goes to 2008 19.
- Packing: bulk tins and retail pouches take the same code, but labelling depends on the buyer country.
Export policy and incentives
Export of cashew kernels is Free under the ITC-HS export policy, as far as I know at the time of writing. Check DGFT notices before signing large contracts.
The RoDTEP scheme exists to refund embedded taxes on exports. Coverage and rates are set by notification, so check the current schedule for your exact tariff item. If your buyer's country gives Indian goods a tariff benefit, get a Certificate of Origin.
Compliance checklist for cashew kernel export
| Requirement | Status | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| IEC | 🔴 Mandatory | Importer Exporter Code from DGFT. |
| CEPCI RCMC | 🔴 Mandatory | Registration-cum-Membership Certificate from the Cashew Export Promotion Council of India. |
| FSSAI licence | 🔴 Mandatory | Food businesses, including exporters, need an FSSAI licence. |
| Export inspection / quality | 🟠 Check | Government grade specifications exist for cashew kernels under the Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act. Check whether pre-shipment inspection applies to your shipment. |
| Phytosanitary certificate | 🟠 Check | Depends on the destination country. Ask your buyer. |
| Buyer-country food safety | 🔴 Mandatory | Aflatoxin, moisture, foreign matter and labelling rules (allergen labelling for tree nuts in EU, UK and US). |
🔴 Mandatory · 🟠 Check · 🟢 Not required
Mistakes that cost exporters money
- Filing roasted or salted cashews under 0801 32.
- Mixing grades on one invoice line without separating whole and broken.
- Weak moisture control, which causes mould and rejection after a long sea voyage.
- Missing allergen labelling on retail packs for Europe or the US.
My advice
Cashew buyers are fussy about grade, colour and moisture, so get those right and the paperwork is fairly simple. If you're moving into value-added products like roasted or flavoured cashews, check the new code and the buyer's rules with a lookup before you print packaging.
Get the exact code and duty for your cashew kernels
Every variant is different. Answer 2–4 questions and get the 8-digit code with reasoning, duty in rupees and the compliance checklist in minutes.
Check my cashew kernels free →Written by
16 years of experience in global logistics
Built EximSetu after 16 years in global logistics, watching shipments get held, reassessed or delayed because of a wrong HS code or a missed compliance step. Every guide here is written from that experience, for the people who actually move cargo.
Frequently asked questions
▸What is the HS code for cashew kernels export from India?
Shelled cashew kernels fall under 0801 32. Whole kernels are usually 0801 32 20 and broken kernels 0801 32 10.
▸Is CEPCI registration mandatory for cashew export?
Yes. Cashew exporters need a Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) from the Cashew Export Promotion Council of India.
▸What is the HS code for roasted and salted cashews?
Roasted, salted or flavoured cashews are usually classified under 2008 19 (nuts otherwise prepared or preserved), not 0801 32.
▸What is the HS code for raw cashew nuts in shell?
Raw cashew nuts in shell fall under 0801 31, separate from shelled kernels under 0801 32.
Related HS codes
🌾 Full guide: Exporting Agricultural and Food Products from India: HS Codes, APEDA and Export Policy →This page is general information, not legal advice. The usual code can change with the exact product, and rates and rules change by notification. Always confirm for your exact product with your customs broker or the official notification.