Sesame, Pulses and Spices for Iraq, with Documents That Clear
Tested Indian lots, Certificate of Conformity support and embassy-legalised papers for Iraqi importers.
Elysium Agri Corporation exports sesame, chickpeas, lentils, turmeric, peanuts and seed spices from Gujarat, India, to importers and wholesale traders in Iraq. Each lot is processed in Gujarat, tested before loading and shipped from Mundra, Kandla or Pipavav, mainly for discharge at Umm Qasr near Basra.
In Iraq, documents decide whether a container clears. Regulated goods need a Certificate of Conformity under the COSQC programme. The invoice and certificate of origin must be legalised and signed in wet ink. This takes time, so we plan the paperwork with you before the cargo is packed, not after it sails.
At a Glance
- Main ports
- Umm Qasr (North and South ports, Basra); Khor Al Zubair
- Route and transit
- Gulf routes are disrupted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Routing and transit are confirmed with each quote.
- Food import authority
- COSQC (standards and border testing); Ministry of Trade (import licences); Ministry of Agriculture; Ministry of Health
- Label language
- Arabic is the working label language. We confirm the wording with your importer.
- Trade agreement with India
- None. Iraq's general customs tariff applies
- Certificates buyers ask for
- COSQC Certificate of Conformity; health certificate; ISO 22000 or HACCP as a buyer preference
- Business languages
- Arabic; Kurdish in the Kurdistan Region; English with larger traders
What Iraq Buys from India
Iraq imports most of its food, and these groups are the largest in our range.
Sesame Seeds
Natural and hulled sesame for tahini (rashi) and halva. India shipped about US$20 million of oilseeds in the group that includes sesame to Iraq in 2025.
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Chickpeas and Pulses
Chickpeas and lentils for wholesale markets. India shipped about US$11.8 million of dried pulses to Iraq in 2025.
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Turmeric and Dry Ginger
Turmeric finger and powder, and dry ginger, for spice traders and packers.
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Peanuts
Raw kernels and in-shell peanuts for roasters and wholesalers.
View detailsSeed Spices
Cumin, coriander and fennel in bulk bags.
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Dehydrated Onion and Garlic
Flakes, granules and powder for food manufacturers.
View detailsImport Rules Your Shipment Must Meet in Iraq
COSQC samples and tests foodstuffs at the border and runs the pre-shipment conformity programme. The Ministry of Trade issues import licences. The Ministry of Agriculture controls grain, feed and plant products, and the Ministry of Health tests food.
- You need an importer ID and an import licence for the consignment.
- Regulated products must arrive with a Certificate of Conformity from an inspection body appointed under the COSQC programme. Food is a listed category.
- Production and expiry dates must be printed or embossed on the pack. Marks on cartons must be printed directly, not on removable tags.
- Goods with too little shelf life remaining can be refused.
- The Kurdistan Region applies its own border procedures.
Duty on Indian Goods in Iraq
India and Iraq have no preferential trade agreement, so Indian goods pay Iraq's general customs tariff. The US Commercial Service reports HS-based tariffs from zero to 30 percent. The Kurdistan Region has applied its own customs practice at its border points. Confirm the rate for your HS code with your clearing agent, then estimate the total with our landed cost calculator.
Shipping from Gujarat to Umm Qasr
Umm Qasr is Iraq's main container gateway, with Khor Al Zubair as a second port. Both lie at the head of the Gulf, and the Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed to commercial shipping since 28 February 2026. We therefore do not promise a transit time. Each quote states the routing that is available that week.
- Loading ports: Mundra, Kandla and Pipavav.
- If you are in the Kurdistan Region, tell us your entry point. Overland options are confirmed with your quote.
- Allow time for inspection and legalisation before the vessel date.
Documents Iraq Asks For
| Document | Why this market needs it |
|---|---|
| Certificate of Conformity | Required for regulated products under the COSQC pre-shipment inspection and testing programme. |
| Commercial invoice and certificate of origin, legalised | Stamped by the chamber of commerce and legalised by the Iraqi embassy. Iraqi customs does not recognise digital signatures. |
| Health certificate from India | Listed among the documents that must come from the country of origin. |
| Certificate of Analysis | Supports border sampling with lab results for the exact lot. |
| Packing list with lot numbers and packing dates | Supports the shelf-life check at the border. |
Why Iraqi Importers Work with Elysium
- Every export lot is tested at an NABL-accredited lab before it is inspected. See lab testing.
- SGS, Bureau Veritas or Intertek can inspect your cargo at loading. See quality control.
- You can check our IEC and GSTIN on Indian government portals before you send an advance. See Verify Elysium.
- The export documents we issue are listed in one place. See certificates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my shipment need a Certificate of Conformity?
Iraq has required a Certificate of Conformity for regulated products since 1 January 2020, and food is a listed category. Whether a raw commodity such as bulk sesame or pulses is covered depends on the current regulated list. We check this with the inspection body before booking.
Can you send documents with digital signatures?
No. Iraqi customs does not recognise digital signatures. The commercial invoice and certificate of origin are stamped by the chamber of commerce, legalised by the Iraqi embassy and signed in wet ink. We send the originals by courier or through your bank.
What payment terms do you offer for Iraq?
Payment terms are agreed with each order. If a trading company in the UAE settles the payment, tell us at the quote stage so the documents name the right parties.
How much shelf life must remain on arrival?
Published guidance says Iraq refuses goods that have passed half their shelf life when the shelf life is longer than one year, and applies a one-third rule to shorter-life goods. That guidance is old. Please confirm the current rule with your clearing agent.
Can you deliver to Erbil or the Kurdistan Region?
The Kurdistan Region applies its own border procedures. Tell us your preferred entry point and clearing agent.
Last reviewed: October 2026