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Food and farm goods

Import apples (fresh)

15% basic duty plus 35% AIDC, and a minimum import price of Rs 50 per kg CIF.

Free, with conditionsHS 0808.10
Basic customs duty
15–50%
15% (tariff rate 50%)
Social welfare surcharge
10% of the duty, unless exempted — check on ICEGATE
IGST
Nil
Nil (fresh fruit)
India’s imports, 2025-26
US$ 317 mn
from 29 countries

The 15% BCD is in Table I of notification 45/2025-Customs (S. No. 29); with 35% AIDC the total is about 50%, the same as the tariff rate. Trade agreements signed in 2025–26 give some partners a lower duty within a quota and with a minimum price; the terms differ by country, so check the effective rate for your origin on ICEGATE. AIDC 35% (notification 11/2021-Customs, S. No. 6) — check the effective rate on ICEGATE. CBIC — Notification 45/2025-Customs (effective duty rates), 24 Oct 2025, as amended ↗

What is imported

Imported apples fill the market between Indian harvests (roughly March to July). Imports in FY 2025-26 were about US$ 317 million (TradeStat), spread across Iran, New Zealand, the USA, South Africa, Chile, Italy and Afghanistan. Most arrive in reefer containers at Nhava Sheva, Chennai and Kolkata, or by road from Afghanistan.

Import policy · Free, with conditions

Import is prohibited if the CIF price is below Rs 50 per kg (DGFT Notification 05/2023, 8 May 2023); this does not apply to Bhutan. Plant quarantine import permit and FSSAI clearance are also needed. Confirm the current condition on the DGFT ITC(HS) page.

Licences and registrations you need

  • Plant Quarantine (PPQS)Import permit where the Plant Quarantine Order, 2003 requires one, plus inspection and release at the port. Apply on PQMS before shipment.pqms.cgg.gov.in ↗
  • FSSAICentral licence for food importers (FoSCoS), then a No Objection Certificate for each consignment through FICS at the port.fics.fssai.gov.in ↗
  • Legal Metrology (Consumer Affairs)Importer registration under the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules if you import or sell retail packs.consumeraffairs.nic.in ↗

What is checked at the port

  • Plant quarantine checks the import permit, phytosanitary certificate and any cold treatment required for the origin.
  • Customs checks that the CIF value is at or above Rs 50 per kg.
  • FSSAI checks wax coating, pesticide residues and the label on each carton.

Practical tips

  • Get the plant quarantine permit before the fruit is packed; reefer time is costly and apples lose value fast.
  • Book cold storage near the port in advance for the clearance period.

Where new importers go wrong

  • Invoicing below Rs 50 per kg CIF — the consignment cannot be cleared.
  • Claiming an FTA rate without checking the quota and minimum price attached to it.
Sources (8)
  1. CBIC — Notification 45/2025-Customs (effective duty rates), 24 Oct 2025, as amended
  2. Notification 11/2021-Customs — effective rates of Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess (as first issued)
  3. CBIC — Customs Tariff of India (as on 30.06.2025)
  4. DGFT — ITC(HS) import policy (Schedule 1)
  5. Plant Quarantine Management System (PQMS)
  6. FSSAI — Food Import Clearance System (FICS)
  7. Commerce Ministry TradeStat — commodity-wise imports by country (FY 2025-26)
  8. ICEGATE — Customs duty and tariff look-up

Import data

Where India buys apples (fresh)

India’s imports from the Department of Commerce’s TradeStat, country by country. US$, financial years.

Imports, 2025-26
US$ 317 mn
Change from 2024-25
-29.6%
Supplying countries
29
Biggest supplier
Iran
13%
United States of America: US$ 35.3 mnSouth Africa: US$ 34.3 mnItaly: US$ 29.6 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 16.3 mnGermany: US$ 5.6 mnFrance: US$ 4.9 mnUnited States of America: US$ 35.3 mnUnited States of AmericaSouth Africa: US$ 34.3 mnSouth AfricaItaly: US$ 29.6 mnItalyUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 16.3 mnUnited Arab EmiratesGermany: US$ 5.6 mnGermanyFrance: US$ 4.9 mnIndia
Where India imports apples (fresh) from — among our 30 countries, 2025-26
2020-21: US$ 240 mn2402020-212021-22: US$ 385 mn3852021-222022-23: US$ 296 mn2962022-232023-24: US$ 400 mn4002023-242024-25: US$ 450 mn4502024-252025-26: US$ 317 mn3172025-26
India’s apples (fresh) imports · US$ million

Biggest supplying countries

Name2025-26Change
1IranUS$ 41 mn-54.2%
2New ZealandUS$ 39.5 mn+20.3%
3United States of AmericaUS$ 35.3 mn+4.9%
4South AfricaUS$ 34.3 mn-1.6%
5ChileUS$ 31.2 mn+19.7%
6ItalyUS$ 29.6 mn+35%
7TürkiyeUS$ 26.9 mn-72.4%
8AfghanistanUS$ 22.7 mn-55.2%
9PolandUS$ 21.8 mn-22.1%
10United Arab EmiratesUS$ 16.3 mn-17.2%
11GermanyUS$ 5.6 mn+65.5%
12FranceUS$ 4.9 mn+88.4%

Which sources are growing and shrinking

Growing sources

  1. FranceUS$ 2.6 mn → US$ 4.9 mn+88.4%
  2. GermanyUS$ 3.4 mn → US$ 5.6 mn+65.5%
  3. ItalyUS$ 21.9 mn → US$ 29.6 mn+35%
  4. New ZealandUS$ 32.8 mn → US$ 39.5 mn+20.3%
  5. ChileUS$ 26.1 mn → US$ 31.2 mn+19.7%

Shrinking sources

  1. TürkiyeUS$ 97.3 mn → US$ 26.9 mn-72.4%
  2. AfghanistanUS$ 50.7 mn → US$ 22.7 mn-55.2%
  3. IranUS$ 89.5 mn → US$ 41 mn-54.2%
  4. BrazilUS$ 3.4 mn → US$ 2.4 mn-29.7%
  5. PolandUS$ 28 mn → US$ 21.8 mn-22.1%
  6. United Arab EmiratesUS$ 19.7 mn → US$ 16.3 mn-17.2%

Which forms come in, and at what price

Imports by 8-digit tariff line, 2025-26. Average price = total value ÷ total quantity.

Tariff lineValue 2025-26ChangeQuantityAverage price
Fruit, edible, apples, fresh — apples frsh0808 10 00US$ 317 mn-29.6%3,96,245 tonnesUS$ 0.80 per kg

Source: TradeStat — Export Import Data Bank, Department of Commerce · Figures taken 29 October 2026.

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