Food and farm goods

Import pistachios

10% basic duty, FSSAI clearance, supply from the USA, Iran, the UAE and Afghanistan.

Free to importHS 0802.51 / 0802.52

Basic customs duty: 10%
Social welfare surcharge: 10% of BCD
IGST: 5%
India’s imports, 2025-26: US$ 262 mn

The tariff rate for 0802 51 and 0802 52 is 10% (Customs Tariff as on 30.06.2025); notification 45/2025-Customs has no lower rate for pistachios. Afghanistan-origin goods may get a preferential rate under the India–Afghanistan preferential trade agreement with a valid certificate of origin — check the effective rate on ICEGATE. IGST on dried nuts is 5% from 22 Sep 2025. CBIC — Customs Tariff of India (as on 30.06.2025) ↗

What is imported

Pistachios come in roasted-salted in-shell form for retail and as green kernels for sweets, ice cream and bakery. Imports in FY 2025-26 were about US$ 262 million (TradeStat). The USA was the largest supplier, followed by Iran, the UAE (mostly re-exports) and Afghanistan.

Import policy · Free to import

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

Licences and registrations you need

FSSAICentral licence for food importers (FoSCoS), then a No Objection Certificate for each consignment through FICS at the port.fics.fssai.gov.in ↗
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 ↗
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

FSSAI tests for aflatoxin, which is the main reason pistachio lots fail.
Salt and additive content of roasted-salted pistachios against FSSAI standards.
Certificate of origin, if you claim a preferential duty.

Practical tips

Fix the crop year, nut size (count per ounce) and split percentage in the contract.
For Iran-origin goods, check how payment can legally be made through your bank before you order.

Where new importers go wrong

Declaring the UAE as origin for goods grown elsewhere; origin is where the nut was grown, not where it was packed.
Importing without a lab report and losing the whole lot to an aflatoxin failure.

Sources (6)

Import data

Where India buys pistachios

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

Imports, 2025-26: US$ 262 mn
Change from 2024-25: -11.6%
Supplying countries: 7
Biggest supplier: United States of America

Where India imports pistachios from — among our 80 countries, 2025-26

India’s pistachios imports · US$ million

Biggest supplying countries

Name2025-26Change

1United States of AmericaUS$ 104 mn-9.3%

2IranUS$ 69.3 mn-20.2%

3United Arab EmiratesUS$ 57.6 mn-0.1%

4AfghanistanUS$ 28.9 mn-7.5%

5Hong KongUS$ 1.5 mn+322.2%

6TürkiyeUS$ 360k-90.2%

7SyriaUS$ 40k0%

8China——

9Jordan——

Which sources are growing and shrinking

Growing sources

None

Shrinking sources

TürkiyeUS$ 3.7 mn → US$ 360k-90.2%
IranUS$ 86.9 mn → US$ 69.3 mn-20.2%

Which forms come in, and at what price

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

Tariff line	Value 2025-26	Change	Quantity	Average price
Nuts, edible, pistachios, fresh or dried, in shell — in shell`0802 51 00`	US$ 167 mn	-20.1%	23,602 tonnes	US$ 7.05 per kg
Nuts, edible, pistachios, fresh or dried, shelled — shelled`0802 52 00`	US$ 95.7 mn	+8.5%	8,673 tonnes	US$ 11.03 per kg