Indian Spices, Pulses and Feed Grains for Oman Under the India-Oman CEPA
Indian-origin lots from Gujarat with the origin certificate, health certificate and lab report an Omani importer files through Bayan.
Since 1 June 2026, the India-Oman CEPA gives most Indian-origin goods duty-free entry into Oman. Elysium Agri Corporation, an exporter in Jamnagar, Gujarat, ships turmeric, seed spices, pulses, peanuts, maize and animal feed ingredients to Omani buyers from Mundra, Kandla and Pipavav. Every lot is tested at an NABL-accredited lab.
For a spice mill, wholesaler or trading company in Muscat or Sohar, the new point is origin proof. The CEPA rate is claimed only with a valid certificate of origin, and each product must be registered before it is placed on the market. You receive both sets of information from us before the cargo sails.
At a Glance
- Main ports
- Sohar, Salalah and Duqm
- Route and transit
- From Mundra, Kandla or Pipavav. Omani ports are outside the Strait of Hormuz and bookable. Routing and transit are confirmed with each quote
- Food import authority
- Food Safety and Quality Centre (FSQC) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources; customs through Bayan
- Label language
- Arabic is mandatory; English may accompany it
- Trade agreement with India
- India-Oman CEPA, in force since 1 June 2026
- Certificates buyers ask for
- Health certificate, CEPA certificate of origin, laboratory analysis report, ISO 22000 or HACCP
- Business languages
- Arabic; English is widely used in trade
What Omani Buyers Order from India
Food lines for spice mills and wholesalers, and grain and feed lines for farms and feed mills.
Turmeric and Dry Ginger
Turmeric finger and powder, dry ginger and ginger powder. India shipped about US$6.8 million under this spice heading to Oman in 2025.
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Maize
Maize, corn grits and corn flour. India shipped about US$6.6 million of maize to Oman in 2025.
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Pulses
Green moong, urad, pigeon peas, red and green lentils and green peas.
View detailsSeed Spices
Cumin, coriander, fennel and fenugreek for grinding and blending.
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Animal Feed Ingredients
Corn DDGS, de-oiled rice bran, soybean meal, rapeseed meal and oilseed de-oiled cakes.
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Peanuts and Sesame
Peanut kernels sold by count, plus natural and hulled sesame.
View detailsImport Rules in Oman: FSQC and Bayan
The Food Safety and Quality Centre handles border inspection, sampling, testing and product registration. Royal Oman Police Customs clears goods through the Bayan electronic system. Omani Standards are based on GSO standards.
- As importer you need a commercial registration and licence from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion.
- Each product is registered with FSQC before it is placed on the market. We send the specification and label details for this.
- Labels follow OS GSO 9 with all mandatory information in Arabic: name, ingredients, allergens, net content, manufacturer, origin, lot number, date marking, storage and nutrition facts.
- No separate rule for bulk bags was found, so bulk bags should carry the same particulars.
Zero Duty Under the India-Oman CEPA
The India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement was signed on 18 December 2025 and entered into force on 1 June 2026. Oman grants duty-free access on 98.08% of its tariff lines. Most of this is immediate, and some lines are phased in over five to ten years. Before the CEPA, the usual rate on such goods was 5%. To claim the preference, the consignment needs a CEPA certificate of origin. We confirm how your HS line is treated when we quote. Work out your full cost with the landed cost calculator.
Shipping to Sohar and Salalah
Sohar is Oman's main container port and sits on the Gulf of Oman, just outside the Strait of Hormuz. Salalah is a transshipment hub on the Arabian Sea. Both remain bookable while the strait is closed, and both are being used as bypass hubs for the wider Gulf.
- Because of that extra traffic, congestion and war-risk premiums can apply. We confirm routing and transit with each quote and do not promise a fixed time.
- Your CFR or CIF quote states which surcharges are included.
- Loading is from Mundra, Kandla or Pipavav. Use the container load calculator to plan bag counts.
Documents for Omani Clearance
| Document | Why this market needs it |
|---|---|
| CEPA certificate of origin | Needed to claim the preferential rate. Oman and India use an electronic certificate of origin framework. |
| Official health certificate | Issued by the exporting country's authority and checked at the border. |
| Laboratory analysis report | Shows compliance on residues and contaminants. Your NABL report covers this. |
| Product specification and label details | Your FSQC product registration is based on these. |
| Halal certificate | Only where the product has animal-derived content. Not needed for plain plant commodities. |
Why Omani Importers Buy from Elysium
- Origin you can prove: lots are tracked from processing unit to container. See traceability.
- Border sampling: each lot is tested at an NABL-accredited lab first. See lab testing.
- A real exporter: IEC and GSTIN can be checked on government portals. See verify Elysium.
- Your inspector is welcome: SGS, Bureau Veritas or Intertek can inspect before loading. See quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Indian goods now enter Oman duty-free?
Under the CEPA in force since 1 June 2026, Oman grants duty-free access on 98.08% of its tariff lines, mostly at once and some phased over five to ten years. Your product must be of Indian origin and carry a CEPA certificate of origin. We confirm your HS line with the quote.
Which certificate of origin do I need to claim the CEPA rate?
You need the CEPA preferential certificate of origin, issued under the electronic framework agreed by the two countries. An ordinary chamber certificate does not give the preference. Tell us at order stage that you will claim CEPA, so the correct certificate is applied for.
Which Omani port should I choose?
Sohar is the main container port and is close to Muscat and the north. Salalah serves the south and is a transshipment hub. Both are bookable at present. Tell us your warehouse location and we quote the port that suits it, with routing confirmed in writing.
Who registers the product with FSQC?
The Omani importer does. You hold the commercial registration and register each product with the Food Safety and Quality Centre before it is placed on the market. We give you the specification, label details and lab report that support the registration.
Do you supply maize and feed ingredients as well as food products?
Yes. Our range includes maize, corn DDGS, de-oiled rice bran, soybean meal, rapeseed meal and oilseed de-oiled cakes, alongside spices and pulses. Send the specification your farm or feed mill works to, and it is matched and tested before loading.
Last reviewed: October 2026