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Food and farm goods

Import cocoa beans

15% tariff duty and 5% IGST. Chocolate makers import beans from DR Congo, the Dominican Republic and Ecuador.

Free to importHS 1801
Basic customs duty
15%
15%
Social welfare surcharge
10% of BCD
IGST
5%
5%
India’s imports, 2025-26
US$ 118 mn
from 13 countries

The tariff rate for 1801 00 00 is 15% (Customs Tariff as on 30.06.2025, in force since 1 May 2022); notification 45/2025-Customs has no general concession for cocoa beans. Manufacturers who export chocolate can import beans duty-free under Advance Authorisation. IGST on cocoa beans is 5% (Schedule I, notification 9/2025-Integrated Tax (Rate)). Check the current rate on ICEGATE before pricing. CBIC — Customs Tariff of India (as on 30.06.2025) ↗

What is imported

Indian cocoa is grown in Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, but chocolate and cocoa-butter makers import beans to cover the gap. TradeStat shows imports of about US$ 118 million in FY 2025-26, down from US$ 251 million the year before. The main suppliers were DR Congo (53%), the Dominican Republic (16%), Ecuador (15%) and Kenya.

Import policy · Free to import

Free under ITC(HS) Schedule 1, subject to plant quarantine conditions and FSSAI import clearance.

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 ↗

What is checked at the port

  • Plant quarantine inspection and, where the Plant Quarantine Order requires it, fumigation of the beans.
  • FSSAI checks for moisture, mould, mycotoxins and pesticide residues.
  • Bean count, cut test (fermentation) and moisture are usually checked by the buyer against the contract.

Practical tips

  • Check the Plant Quarantine Order schedule for cocoa beans and get the import permit before the beans are shipped.
  • Buy against a cut-test and moisture specification and ask for a pre-shipment inspection report.
  • If you export chocolate, compare Advance Authorisation with paying duty and claiming drawback.

Where new importers go wrong

  • Beans shipped too wet that grow mould in the container on a long voyage.
  • No import permit or wrong treatment on the phytosanitary certificate, so quarantine holds the cargo.
Sources (7)
  1. CBIC — Customs Tariff of India (as on 30.06.2025)
  2. CBIC — Notification 45/2025-Customs (effective duty rates), 24 Oct 2025, as amended
  3. CBIC — Notification 9/2025-Integrated Tax (Rate), 17 Sep 2025 (IGST rates from 22 Sep 2025)
  4. Plant Quarantine Management System (PQMS)
  5. FSSAI — Food Import Clearance System (FICS)
  6. Commerce Ministry TradeStat — commodity-wise imports by country (FY 2025-26)
  7. ICEGATE — Customs duty and tariff look-up

Import data

Where India buys cocoa beans

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

Imports, 2025-26
US$ 118 mn
Change from 2024-25
-53%
Supplying countries
13
Biggest supplier
DR Congo
53%
Kenya: US$ 7 mnNigeria: US$ 1.5 mnCôte d’Ivoire: US$ 1.2 mnPeru: US$ 1.1 mnTogo: US$ 330kGhana: US$ 30kNetherlands: US$ 30kKenya: US$ 7 mnKenyaNigeria: US$ 1.5 mnNigeriaCôte d’Ivoire: US$ 1.2 mnPeru: US$ 1.1 mnPeruTogo: US$ 330kGhana: US$ 30kNetherlands: US$ 30kNetherlandsIndia
Where India imports cocoa beans from — among our 80 countries, 2025-26
2020-21: US$ 60.8 mn612020-212021-22: US$ 72.9 mn732021-222022-23: US$ 65.3 mn652022-232023-24: US$ 89.5 mn892023-242024-25: US$ 251 mn2512024-252025-26: US$ 118 mn1182025-26
India’s cocoa beans imports · US$ million

Biggest supplying countries

Name2025-26Change
1DR CongoUS$ 62.3 mn-41.4%
2Dominican RepublicUS$ 18.9 mn-37.1%
3EcuadorUS$ 17.7 mn-76%
4KenyaUS$ 7 mn—
5GuineaUS$ 3 mn+89.2%
6UgandaUS$ 2.7 mn-44.1%
7MadagascarUS$ 2.5 mn-60.7%
8NigeriaUS$ 1.5 mn—
9Côte d’IvoireUS$ 1.2 mn-90.8%
10PeruUS$ 1.1 mn-92.4%
11TogoUS$ 330k-15.4%
12GhanaUS$ 30k-76.9%

Which sources are growing and shrinking

Growing sources

  1. GuineaUS$ 1.6 mn → US$ 3 mn+89.2%

Shrinking sources

  1. PeruUS$ 13.9 mn → US$ 1.1 mn-92.4%
  2. Côte d’IvoireUS$ 12.6 mn → US$ 1.2 mn-90.8%
  3. EcuadorUS$ 73.6 mn → US$ 17.7 mn-76%
  4. MadagascarUS$ 6.3 mn → US$ 2.5 mn-60.7%
  5. UgandaUS$ 4.9 mn → US$ 2.7 mn-44.1%
  6. DR CongoUS$ 106 mn → US$ 62.3 mn-41.4%

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
Cocoa beans whole/broken raw/roasted1801 00 00US$ 118 mn-53%12,641 tonnesUS$ 9.33 per kg

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

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