How to import onions from India.

Red onions supplied by minimum bulb size. Three sizes cover what organised retail and distribution buyers most often request. It ships under HS 0703.10 (fresh or chilled onions and shallots).

India exported about 1.55 million tonnes of fresh onion in 2025-26. The main buyers were Malaysia, Sri Lanka, the UAE, Nepal, Bangladesh, Qatar and Kuwait.

We quote onions for importers in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Malaysia, Singapore, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, United Kingdom. Each has its own page below.

India controls onion exports with the domestic crop: they were banned from December 2023 to May 2024, then allowed with a minimum export price and a duty. Since 1 April 2025 there has been no export duty and no minimum export price. The policy can change at short notice, so we confirm the current DGFT position on the day we quote.

• Importer Exporter Code (IEC) ABFFB5841C: we hold it
• Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI): we hold it
• Phytosanitary certificate from India's plant quarantine service (PPQS), applied for on PQMS before every shipment, after inspection
• Certificate of origin from DGFT's certificate-of-origin system, preferential where a trade agreement applies
• Shipping bill filed with Indian customs on ICEGATE by our customs broker
• Commercial invoice and packing list, with HS code, grade, pack count and net weight

Most destinations ask the importer, not the exporter, for a permit before the goods ship. Its number, and any declaration it asks for, goes on India's phytosanitary certificate, so send it to us before inspection is booked.

• Saudi Arabia: The importer needs an electronic MEWA import licence before the goods ship; produce arriving without one is turned back.
• Bangladesh: The importer applies online for a plant quarantine import permit before opening the letter of credit; it is valid four months.
• Sri Lanka: The importer needs an NPQS import permit before the goods ship.
• Malaysia: The importer needs a MAQIS import permit (ePermit); importing farm produce without one is an offence in Malaysia.
• Singapore: The importer needs an SFA licence to import fresh fruit and vegetables, and a TradeNet permit for every consignment.
• Qatar: Since December 2021 every fresh fruit and vegetable import needs the importer's prior permission from the Ministry of Municipality, applied for online.
• Bahrain: The importer needs a prior import permit from the Agricultural Health Directorate.

• Carried at about 0 to 3 °C with the vents well open: onions give off moisture and need airflow.
• Cured before loading, so the necks are dry and the skins set.
• To Nepal and Bangladesh, also by road across the land border.
• Packed in leno mesh katta bags, 25 kg to 50 kg.
• Shelf life: 2–4 months, kept cool and dry.

Our supply so far has been within India, since 2011. We hold an IEC and are now taking export enquiries, so we agree documents, packing, inspection and the first shipment's terms with each importer in writing before we quote. We quote Ex Works (EXW) or Free On Board (FOB): our responsibility ends at the Indian port or border point.