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HS Code for Turmeric Export from India: Whole, Powder and Spices Board
By Abhishek Sadashiv · 16 years of experience in global logistics · Updated 5 October 2026 · 5 min read
Usual HS code for turmeric (export)
0910 30
Turmeric (curcuma). The last two digits depend on form: fresh, dried (whole fingers) or powder.
India grows most of the world's turmeric, and a lot of small exporters start with it because the product is familiar. The code is simple once you know the form you're shipping. The real work is the buyer's safety testing, which has become much stricter for spices.
Here's how I'd think about it.
The usual HS code: 0910 30
| Level | Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter | 09 | Coffee, tea, maté and spices |
| Heading | 0910 | Ginger, saffron, turmeric, thyme, bay leaves, curry and other spices |
| Subheading | 0910 30 | Turmeric (curcuma) |
| Tariff item | 0910 30 10 / 20 / 30 / 90 | Fresh / dried / powder / other |
Whole dried fingers and bulbs go under 0910 30 20. Ground turmeric goes under 0910 30 30. Fresh turmeric (rare in export, but it happens) is 0910 30 10. So the last two digits depend on the form, and that's why I give six digits here.
Why not 0910 91 or 3203?
Two common wrong codes:
- Spice mixes and curry powder that contain turmeric go under 0910 91 (mixtures) or other lines, not under turmeric. If your "haldi masala" has other spices in it, it's a mixture.
- Curcumin extract and turmeric oleoresin are processed products, not spices. Oleoresin usually goes under 3301, and curcumin used as a colour usually under 3203. These also have different buyer rules.
Exporters sometimes put everything under one code because it's "all turmeric". Customs and the buyer's customs will see it differently.
Not sure which line your turmeric 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 turmeric →What decides the final code
- Form: fresh, dried whole, or powder.
- Purity: pure turmeric vs a mix with other spices.
- Processing: extracts and oleoresins leave chapter 9.
- Organic or conventional: same code, but organic needs NPOP certification and its own paperwork.
Export policy and incentives
Turmeric export policy is Free. There's no export duty or minimum price that I know of at the time of writing, but check DGFT notices before you sign a long contract.
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. A Certificate of Origin helps if your buyer's country gives Indian goods a tariff benefit.
Compliance checklist for turmeric export
| Requirement | Status | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| IEC | 🔴 Mandatory | Importer Exporter Code from DGFT. |
| Spices Board CRES | 🔴 Mandatory | Certificate of Registration as Exporter of Spices from the Spices Board, which also works as your RCMC. |
| FSSAI licence | 🔴 Mandatory | Food businesses, including exporters, need an FSSAI licence. |
| Phytosanitary certificate | 🔴 For whole turmeric | Usually needed for whole and dried turmeric. Requirements for powder vary by country. |
| Buyer-country safety tests | 🔴 Mandatory | Pesticide residues, aflatoxin, heavy metals (especially lead) and microbial limits. EU and US limits are strict. |
| Spices Board pre-shipment testing | 🟠 Check | Mandatory sampling applies to some spices and destinations. Ask the Spices Board for your market. |
🔴 Mandatory · 🟠 Check · 🟢 Not required
Mistakes that cost exporters money
- Shipping without a lab report that matches the buyer's limits. A rejection at the destination costs far more than the test.
- Filing curry powder or haldi masala as turmeric.
- Mixing lots from different farms without testing the combined lot.
- Delaying CRES renewal, which holds up your shipping bill.
My advice
With turmeric, test first, then sell. Know your buyer's limits for lead, residues and aflatoxin before you quote a price. If you're adding value with powder, oleoresin or curcumin, check the code and rules for each product separately with a lookup.
Get the exact code and duty for your turmeric
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 turmeric 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 turmeric export from India?
Turmeric falls under 0910 30. Dried whole turmeric is usually 0910 30 20 and turmeric powder 0910 30 30.
▸Do I need Spices Board registration to export turmeric?
Yes. Spice exporters need a Certificate of Registration as Exporter of Spices (CRES) from the Spices Board, which also serves as the RCMC.
▸What is the HS code for curcumin or turmeric oleoresin?
These are processed products, not spices. Oleoresin usually goes under 3301 and curcumin used as colour under 3203. Check your exact product.
▸Is a phytosanitary certificate needed for turmeric export?
Usually yes for whole and dried turmeric. Requirements for turmeric powder vary by destination country, so ask your buyer.
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.