Turmeric, Cumin and Sesame from India for France, With the Border Papers in Order
Direct lots from Gujarat with a laboratory report per lot and documents prepared for French customs control.
Elysium Agri Corporation is an exporter in Jamnagar, Gujarat, supplying turmeric, cumin, sesame seeds and dehydrated onion to importers, spice packers and food manufacturers in France. Shipments leave Mundra, Kandla or Pipavav for Le Havre or Marseille-Fos, and every lot is tested at an NABL-accredited laboratory first.
Two things set France apart. French customs is the single authority for sanitary and organic import controls on food of non-animal origin, so your health check and your customs clearance sit with one administration. And anything sold to consumers must be labelled in French. Your documents are prepared for the Border Control Post you name.
At a Glance
- Main ports
- Le Havre, Marseille-Fos, Dunkirk (Dunkerque)
- Route and transit
- From Mundra: typically about 15 days to Fos-sur-Mer and 20 days to Le Havre on Suez-routed schedules; longer via the Cape. Confirmed with each quote
- Food import authority
- French customs (DGDDI) for sanitary and organic import controls; DGCCRF for labelling on the market
- Label language
- French on retail packs; EU marking on bulk bags
- Trade agreement with India
- None in force. India-EU Free Trade Agreement concluded 27 January 2026; not yet signed or in force
- Certificates buyers ask for
- BRCGS Food Safety, IFS Food, FSSC 22000 or ISO 22000, EU organic, SMETA social audit
- Business languages
- French
What French Buyers Source from India
Spices, sesame and dehydrated vegetables come first in this market.
Turmeric and Dry Ginger
Turmeric finger and powder, with dry ginger and ginger powder. The larger of India's two spice groups in trade with France.
View details Turmeric and Dry GingerCumin and Seed Spices
France imported almost 2,000 tonnes of cumin in 2024, and India supplied 47% of it. Coriander, fennel and fenugreek are also available.
View details
Sesame Seeds
Natural, hulled and black sesame for bakery, snacks, ethnic foods and sesame oil. Part of French supply arrives through Dutch re-exporters; a direct lot has a named origin and its own test report.
View details
Dehydrated Onion and Garlic
White onion flakes, chopped, granules and powder, and dehydrated garlic, to your specification.
View details
Pulses and Chickpeas
Lentils, moong, urad and green peas, with kabuli and desi chickpeas. A smaller direct line from India to France.
View details Pulses and Chickpeas
Animal Feed Ingredients
India shipped about US$81 million of food industry residues and animal fodder to France in 2025. Our range covers oilseed de-oiled cakes, soybean meal, rapeseed meal and de-oiled rice bran.
View detailsFrench Customs Runs the Sanitary Check
Since 1 June 2023, French customs (DGDDI) carries out sanitary and organic import controls on food of non-animal origin. DGCCRF continues to police labelling once goods are on the market. Indian groundnuts, sesame and certain spices are under increased official controls under Regulation (EU) 2019/1793. Lots travel with the official certificate and laboratory report where the regulation requires it.
- You or your agent pre-notify listed goods with a CHED-D in TRACES NT before arrival.
- Listed goods must enter through a designated Border Control Post.
- Retail packs must be visible, legible and written at least in French, with allergens emphasised and the name and address of an EU-based operator. Nutri-Score is voluntary.
- Bulk bags show product name and variety, lot code, net weight, shelf life, storage conditions, origin and exporter. Peanut and sesame allergen status travels with the goods.
- Organic lots need a Certificate of Inspection in TRACES, and customs runs the organic checks.
Duty Today and the India-EU Free Trade Agreement
France applies the EU Common Customs Tariff. It is identical in every member state and is paid once, at the first EU port of entry. No trade agreement between India and the EU is in force. Negotiations on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement concluded on 27 January 2026, and the European Commission sent the text to the Council for signature authorisation on 11 September 2026. As of October 2026 it is not signed or in force. Until it is, Indian goods enter on standard (MFN) terms, plus the EU's standard GSP where a tariff line is covered. Check your rate in TARIC and estimate the total with the Landed Cost Calculator.
Mundra to Le Havre and Marseille-Fos
Schedule snapshots show about 15 days from Mundra to Fos-sur-Mer and about 20 days to Le Havre. These are typical figures for Suez-routed services; Cape-routed services take longer. Each quote states the routing and the expected transit.
- Name your port and Border Control Post with the enquiry.
- Typical packs for this market are 25 kg polypropylene or multi-wall paper bags and big bags of 900 to 1,000 kg.
- Retail packs can carry your approved French text.
Extra Documents for a French Consignment
| Document | Why this market needs it |
|---|---|
| Official certificate under Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 | Issued by the Indian competent authority for the listed goods, and presented at the Border Control Post. |
| Laboratory report attached to the certificate | Aflatoxins for groundnuts; Salmonella and pesticide residues for sesame; pesticide residues for spices. |
| CHED-D data set | Your agent needs it to pre-notify the consignment in TRACES NT. |
| Specification sheet and allergen declaration | French buyers ask for these with lot traceability and an accredited laboratory report. |
| Statement on origin for a GSP claim | Only where your tariff line is covered; confirmed with your quote. |
What a French Importer Can Check Before Ordering
- A lot held at the border costs you time and stock. Each lot is tested at an NABL-accredited laboratory before loading and has a Certificate of Analysis. See Lab Testing.
- Your retail customers may require IFS or BRCGS.
- You may prefer an independent check. Inspection by SGS, Bureau Veritas or Intertek is welcome, and every export lot is supervised by us. See Quality.
- A new supplier should be easy to verify. Our IEC and GSTIN can be checked on Indian government portals. See Verify Elysium.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who checks my consignment when it arrives in France?
French customs (DGDDI). Since 1 June 2023 it is the single authority for sanitary and organic import controls on food of non-animal origin. Your agent pre-notifies listed goods with a CHED-D in TRACES NT, and the goods enter through a designated Border Control Post.
Is the India-EU Free Trade Agreement in force?
No. Negotiations concluded on 27 January 2026, and the European Commission sent the text to the Council for signature authorisation on 11 September 2026. It is not yet signed or in force, so the current EU tariff applies. Check in TARIC whether GSP covers your tariff line.
Must the bags be labelled in French?
Anything sold to consumers must be labelled at least in French, with allergens emphasised. Bulk bags for processors carry business-to-business marking: product, lot, net weight, shelf life, storage conditions, origin and exporter. Agree the French retail text with your own regulatory team before packing starts.
Do you supply peanuts to France?
Yes, on request. Direct Indian peanut trade with France is very small today, so we do not lead with it. Indian groundnuts are under increased official controls in the EU, and each lot travels with the official certificate and an aflatoxin laboratory report. Tell us your grade and count.
Why buy direct instead of through a Dutch re-exporter?
Part of France's sesame arrives through Dutch re-exporters, and that route suits some buyers. A direct order gives you your own specification, a laboratory report for that exact lot and a named origin. You or your agent handle the pre-notification, and we supply the documents the control post needs.
Last reviewed: October 2026