To export pulses from India to the UAE, you need an IEC, APEDA RCMC, FSSAI license, phytosanitary certificate, certificate of origin, commercial invoice, packing list, and fumigation certificate. On the UAE side, your buyer must be registered as a food supplier under Dubai Municipality's FIRS system, and your packaging must carry bilingual Arabic and English labels. A health certificate from India is also required for food imports into the UAE. Missing any one of these documents holds your shipment at Jebel Ali port.
The UAE is one of India's most active pulse markets. The United Arab Emirates recorded 132 percent growth in chickpea imports from India in recent trade data, with the UAE consistently ranking among the top destinations for Indian chickpeas including Kabuli Chana and Desi Chana. For exporters in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra, the UAE is a high-opportunity market. But it is also a market with two distinct compliance layers, one on the Indian export side and one on the UAE import side, and both need to be completed before your container moves.
Most shipment delays in this corridor happen because exporters focus only on the Indian side documentation and assume the UAE side is their buyer's problem. In practice, if your buyer is not registered correctly in the UAE system or if your packaging does not meet UAE labelling requirements, the container clears Indian customs but sits at Jebel Ali waiting for resolution.
This guide covers both sides completely.
Part 1: What You Need on the Indian Export Side
The Complete Document Checklist for Pulse Exports from India
All of the following are mandatory for legal export of pulses from India.
Import Export Code (IEC): Issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). No export is legally possible without a valid IEC.
APEDA RCMC: APEDA registration is mandatory for all agricultural exports of pulses. The Registration Cum Membership Certificate is required for all scheduled agricultural products. Apply at apeda.gov.in. Your APEDA registration is also needed to obtain a phytosanitary certificate and to claim applicable export incentives.
FSSAI License: As pulses are food products, an FSSAI license is required to comply with health and safety regulations, applicable to both domestic and international quality compliance.
Phytosanitary Certificate: Issued by India's Plant Quarantine and Inspection Services (PQIS) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Mandatory for all pulse exports. Pulses are usually inspected using X-ray examination. If live insect infestation is noticed, the exporter needs to arrange for fumigation of the consignment at an approved place by an approved pest control operator under the supervision of the Plant Quarantine officer. Apply through the PQMS portal at least 5 to 7 days before your intended loading date.
Fumigation Certificate: Required when fumigation treatment has been carried out, either as a precautionary measure or following insect infestation found during phytosanitary inspection. Many UAE buyers also specifically require proof of methyl bromide or phosphine fumigation as a standard condition.
Certificate of Origin: Confirms goods were manufactured or produced in India. Required by UAE customs. For exporters claiming preferential duty under the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which came into force in May 2022, a CEPA-specific certificate of origin is required to access reduced duty rates.
Commercial Invoice: The primary document UAE customs uses to assess the value and nature of the shipment. All details must match the packing list exactly, word for word on product description, grade, and quantity.
Export Packing List: Details every bag, carton, or container in the shipment by net weight, gross weight, dimensions, and quantity. Must match the commercial invoice precisely.
Shipping Bill: Filed electronically through ICEGATE, India's customs portal. Your Customs House Agent typically handles this filing.
Bill of Lading: Issued by the shipping line as proof of shipment and contract of carriage. For UAE shipments under a Letter of Credit, confirm with your buyer whether the bill of lading should be made out to the order of the bank.
For a full explanation of what each of these documents does and how they interact with each other, see our complete guide to documents required for international export.
HS Codes for Pulse Exports to UAE
Using the correct ITC-HS code on your Shipping Bill, commercial invoice, and packing list is essential. One wrong digit can hold your container at customs on both sides of the shipment.
Chana Dal (split chickpeas, Bengal gram split): 07132020 is the HSN Code for Bengal gram (desi chana).
Whole Kabuli Chana (whole white chickpeas): 07132000
Whole Desi Chana (whole brown chickpeas): 07132000
Lentils (Masoor): 07134000
Pigeon peas (Toor Dal, whole or split): 07136000
Black matpe (Urad Dal, whole or split): 07133100
Chickpea seeds fall under HS code 0713.20 worldwide, covering dried chickpeas for sowing or human consumption. Always verify the 8-digit ITC-HS code for your specific product variety and processing level with your CHA before each shipment. The code for split dal and whole pulse may differ.
For a detailed explanation of why wrong HS codes are the leading cause of pulse shipment holds at Indian customs, see our guide on why pulse exports from India get held at customs and how to fix it.
Link: https://freightnaut.com/blog-detail/pulse-exports-india-customs-delays-how-to-fix
Part 2: What Your Buyer Needs to Have in Place in the UAE
This is the part most Indian pulse exporters do not know enough about until their first shipment is held at Jebel Ali.
The UAE imports around 90 percent of its food requirements. However, in the UAE, customs clearance does not mean retail access. A container can clear the port and still sit in a warehouse because the product is not registered, the label does not meet Gulf standards, or the local importer structure is not compliant.
Your buyer in the UAE needs all of the following before your shipment arrives.
UAE Trade License covering food trading
To import goods into the UAE, companies must have the correct trade license from the Department of Economic Development (DED) from the Emirate. The license must specifically cover foodstuff trading or import. If the business activity scope does not include food, the company cannot legally import.
UAE Customs Importer Code
This connects the trade license to the UAE customs system and allows the entity to act as the importer of record for each shipment.
Dubai Municipality Registration (for shipments to Dubai)
Dubai Municipality has the responsibility for regulating the importation of foodstuff and monitoring the labelling and testing of food products. The supplier of foodstuff products should first be registered at Dubai Municipality as an authorised foodstuff supplier through the FIRS system.
Product Registration Before First Shipment
Importers must register all new food products online prior to first shipment. This involves label reviews and potential laboratory testing before first import. Each SKU must be registered separately. If products arrive without prior registration, they will be held for inspection and potential rejection.
This is critical for Indian pulse exporters. If you are shipping a product variety or packaging format that your UAE buyer has not previously imported and registered, the first shipment will face delays while registration is processed. Plan for this well before your loading date.
Part 3: UAE Packaging and Labelling Requirements for Pulse Imports
This is one of the most common reasons pulse shipments from India clear customs but then face issues in the UAE market. UAE regulations mandate specific labelling and packaging standards for food products, including bilingual labels in Arabic and English, nutritional information, and country of origin declarations. Non-compliance can lead to delays or rejection at the retail level, even after customs clearance.
Every package of pulses exported to the UAE must carry:
Commercial name of the product in both Arabic and English.
Country of origin clearly stated as "Product of India."
Net weight in metric units (kilograms or grams).
Best before or expiry date.
Nutritional information per serving and per 100 grams.
Allergen information where applicable.
Name and address of the UAE importer.
Batch or lot number for traceability.
Packaging must use moisture-proof materials appropriate for dry pulses. Trade considerations for chickpeas include packaging in jute, polypropylene, or multi-layer laminated bags with typical net weights ranging from 25 to 50 kg, designed to prevent moisture ingress and contamination during transit.
If your packaging does not carry the Arabic labelling before shipment, your buyer in the UAE will need to relabel at the port or warehouse, which adds cost, delays, and the risk of label errors. Getting this right before the goods leave India is significantly less expensive than resolving it after they arrive at Jebel Ali.
Part 4: The Documents UAE Customs Requires at the Point of Entry
When your shipment arrives at a UAE port, the following documents are required for customs clearance. These must be submitted by your UAE buyer or their customs agent.
Commercial invoice from the Indian exporter addressed to the UAE importer, with full quantity, product description, and total value of each line item.
Export packing list from the Indian exporter.
Phytosanitary certificate from India's PQIS.
Fumigation certificate where applicable.
Certificate of origin, and the CEPA certificate of origin if claiming preferential duty.
Bill of lading.
Health certificate from the country of origin. UAE food import regulations require health certificates from the country of origin.
For the UAE, the health certificate for food imports is typically issued by a competent authority in the exporting country, in India's case this is usually issued by the Export Inspection Council (EIC) or an accredited agency. Confirm specific requirements with your UAE buyer before shipment, as the exact format required varies by destination emirate.
The India-UAE CEPA Opportunity for Pulse Exporters
The India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement came into force in May 2022. Under this agreement, a number of agricultural products from India qualify for preferential customs duty rates when imported into the UAE, lower than the standard GCC common external tariff.
To claim the preferential rate, your shipment must be accompanied by a CEPA certificate of origin, not a standard certificate of origin. This certificate must be issued by an authorised body in India, typically a Chamber of Commerce approved by DGFT, and must declare that the goods meet the rules of origin criteria under the CEPA.
If your buyer is importing significant volumes of pulses and is not currently claiming CEPA preferential rates, this is worth investigating. The duty difference can be meaningful over multiple shipments.
Understanding Incoterms for India-UAE Pulse Exports
The Incoterm you agree with your UAE buyer directly affects who pays for freight from India to Jebel Ali, who arranges marine cargo insurance, and where the risk of loss or damage transfers.
FOB (Free On Board) is the most commonly used term in Indian pulse export trade. Under FOB, your responsibility as the seller ends when the goods are loaded onto the vessel at your named Indian port. The buyer pays for ocean freight and insurance to the UAE.
CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) means you pay for freight and minimum cargo insurance to Jebel Ali. The buyer pays a higher invoice price but does not need to arrange their own freight.
Choosing the wrong Incoterm, or stating it incorrectly on your commercial invoice, can affect your LC presentation and your buyer's import costs significantly. For a plain-language guide to each Incoterm and when to use them, see our guide to Incoterms explained: what FOB, CIF, and EXW actually mean for your shipment.
Link: https://freightnaut.com/blog-detail/incoterms-explained-fob-cif-exw-meaning-export-shipment
Pre-Shipment Checklist for Pulse Exports to the UAE
Use this before every shipment to reduce the risk of holds on both sides.
IEC is valid and current.
APEDA RCMC is valid and has not expired.
FSSAI license is current.
ITC-HS code verified for this specific product variety, grade, and processing level.
Phytosanitary certificate applied for at least 5 to 7 days before loading date.
Consignment has cleared plant quarantine inspection.
Fumigation certificate obtained where required by buyer or UAE port.
Commercial invoice and packing list carry identical product descriptions word for word.
Certificate of origin is correctly issued and CEPA certificate arranged if claiming preferential duty.
Incoterms are clearly stated on the commercial invoice.
Packaging carries bilingual Arabic and English labels meeting UAE requirements.
UAE buyer has confirmed prior product registration with Dubai Municipality through FIRS.
UAE buyer has confirmed their trade license covers foodstuff import.
Bill of lading consignee field is correctly completed as per payment terms.
How Freightnaut Helps Pulse Exporters to the UAE
The two most common causes of pulse shipment problems in the India-UAE corridor are document mismatches and missing certificates. Both are process failures, not knowledge failures.
Freightnaut generates your complete export document set, commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, and phytosanitary certificate template, from a single shipment record. Product names, HS codes, net weights, and buyer details are entered once and populate consistently across every document. There is no manual re-entry and no opportunity for the product description to read differently on your commercial invoice versus your packing list.
Custom document templates can be built to include the exact fields your UAE buyer requires, including Arabic-English bilingual fields on buyer-facing documents, so nothing mandatory is missed before the goods leave your warehouse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What documents are required to export chana dal to Dubai?
A. The mandatory documents are an IEC, APEDA RCMC, FSSAI license, phytosanitary certificate from PQIS, fumigation certificate, certificate of origin (and a CEPA certificate if claiming preferential duty), commercial invoice, export packing list, shipping bill filed through ICEGATE, and a bill of lading. Your UAE buyer also needs to have the shipment registered in Dubai Municipality's FIRS system before the goods arrive.
Q. What is the HS code for chana dal exports from India?
A. Bengal gram split (chana dal) falls under ITC-HS code 07132020. Whole Kabuli Chana and whole Desi Chana are classified under 07132000. Verify the correct 8-digit code for your specific product variety and processing level with your CHA before each shipment.
Q. Does the UAE require a phytosanitary certificate for pulse imports from India?
A. Yes. A phytosanitary certificate issued by India's Plant Quarantine and Inspection Services is required for all pulse exports to the UAE. The certificate is issued following inspection and must accompany the shipment. Pulses undergo X-ray inspection for live insect infestation. If infestation is found, fumigation is required before the certificate can be issued.
Q. What labelling is required on pulse packaging for UAE import?
A. Packaging must carry bilingual labels in Arabic and English including the product name, country of origin, net weight in metric units, best before or expiry date, nutritional information, allergen information, batch number, and the name and address of the UAE importer. Non-compliant labelling can result in delays or rejection even after customs clearance.
Q. What is FIRS and why does my UAE buyer need it?
A. FIRS is Dubai Municipality's Food Import and Re-export System. The supplier of foodstuff products should first be registered at Dubai Municipality as an authorised foodstuff supplier through the FIRS system, and foodstuff products which are new to the FIRS system need to be registered in detail first. If your product has not been previously registered in FIRS by your buyer, the first shipment will face inspection and clearance delays.
Q. Can Indian pulse exporters claim preferential duty in the UAE under CEPA?
A. Yes, potentially. The India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement that came into force in May 2022 provides for preferential duty rates on qualifying goods. To claim the benefit, you need a CEPA-specific certificate of origin issued by an authorised Chamber of Commerce in India and the goods must meet the rules of origin criteria under the agreement. Confirm the applicable rate for your specific HS code with your freight forwarder or trade advisor.
Q. What is the standard customs duty on pulses in the UAE?
A. The UAE applies the GCC Common External Tariff on most food imports. Most pulse products attract a 5 percent customs duty under the standard tariff. Exporters holding a valid CEPA certificate of origin may be eligible for a preferential rate lower than the standard tariff.
Q. Which Indian port is best for exporting pulses to the UAE?
A. Kandla port has emerged as the top port for chickpea exports from India experiencing exponential growth. Mundra is also widely used for Gujarat-based pulse exporters shipping to the UAE. Nhava Sheva (JNPT) in Mumbai is an option for exporters in Maharashtra. The best port depends on your location, container availability, and freight rates at the time of booking.