Key Takeaways
- Exporting peanut butter from India needs three core registrations: IEC (DGFT), APEDA RCMC, and an FSSAI licence.
- Peanut butter is generally classified under HS code 2008.11 — confirm the exact sub-heading for each destination market.
- Keep your export documents ready: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin and health certificate where required.
- Incoterms (EXW, FOB, CFR, CIF) decide who pays for freight and insurance — agree this upfront with your buyer.
- At Insight Food Private Limited, we manage private-label production, export documentation and logistics end-to-end from our certified facility.
India is one of the world’s largest groundnut producers, which makes exporting peanut butter from India an attractive opportunity for manufacturers and trading buyers alike. But moving food across borders means getting the registrations, product classification, documentation and trade terms right. This guide breaks down what you need — from IEC and APEDA to HS code 2008.11 and Incoterms.
Why source peanut butter from India?
India offers abundant, cost-competitive groundnut supply, a growing base of globally certified manufacturers (BRCGS, USDA Organic, HACCP), and mature export logistics. For overseas retailers, importers and food brands, that combination means quality private-label and bulk peanut butter at competitive landed cost.
Licences & registrations you need to export
1. IEC — Importer Exporter Code
Issued by the DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade), the IEC is the basic 10-digit code required for any entity to import or export from India. No consignment clears customs without it.
2. APEDA RCMC
Peanut butter falls under processed food products overseen by APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority). Exporters register with APEDA and obtain an RCMC (Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate), which is needed for processed-food exports and to access export benefits.
3. FSSAI licence
A central FSSAI licence is required to manufacture food in India; for export, FSSAI registration also supports food-safety compliance and the issuance of health certificates where importing countries require them.
4. Buyer / destination-specific approvals
Some markets need additional certificates — e.g. a Certificate of Origin, a health/free-sale certificate, Halal or Kosher certification, or specific labelling. Always confirm the destination country’s import requirements before shipping.
HS code for peanut butter
Peanut butter is generally classified under HS code 2008.11 (“ground-nuts, prepared or preserved”), within heading 2008. The correct HS code determines duty rates, eligibility for trade preferences and customs documentation, so confirm the exact sub-heading with your customs broker for your destination.
Export documentation checklist
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | States goods, value, terms of sale |
| Packing list | Details cartons, weights, dimensions |
| Bill of Lading / Airway Bill | Transport contract & title document |
| Certificate of Origin | Declares country of manufacture (India) |
| Health / Phytosanitary certificate | Food-safety compliance (where required) |
| FSSAI / lab analysis report | Confirms product specs & safety |
| Shipping bill | Customs export declaration |
| Insurance certificate | Covers goods in transit (per Incoterm) |
Incoterms: who pays for what
Incoterms (2020) define where the seller’s responsibility ends and the buyer’s begins. The common ones for food exports:
| Incoterm | Seller’s responsibility |
|---|---|
| EXW (Ex Works) | Goods ready at the factory; buyer handles all transport |
| FOB (Free On Board) | Seller delivers, cleared, loaded onto the vessel at origin port |
| CFR (Cost & Freight) | Seller pays freight to destination port (buyer insures) |
| CIF (Cost, Insurance & Freight) | Seller pays freight + insurance to destination port |
Packaging & labelling for export
Export peanut butter is typically supplied in retail jars/pouches for private-label programmes, or in 5–20 kg pails and bulk drums for industrial buyers. Labels must meet the destination market’s rules — ingredient list, nutrition panel, allergen declaration (peanuts), net weight, batch/lot code, best-before date, and country of origin.
Top export markets for Indian peanut butter
Demand is strong across the USA, Canada, the UK, the EU, the Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia), Australia and South-East Asia (Singapore, Indonesia) — driven by the global rise in high-protein and clean-label foods.
Insight Food exports peanut butter, nut butters and peanut powder worldwide from a BRCGS & USDA-Organic certified facility — handling private-label production, export documentation and logistics end-to-end.
👉 Visit our Export hub | Request an export quote
Frequently asked questions
u003cstrongu003eWhat licences are needed to export peanut butter from India?u003c/strongu003e
An IEC (Importer Exporter Code) from DGFT, APEDA registration with an RCMC for processed foods, and an FSSAI licence. Destination-specific certificates (Certificate of Origin, health certificate, Halal/Kosher) may also be required.
u003cstrongu003eWhat is the HS code for peanut butter?u003c/strongu003e
Peanut butter is generally classified under HS code 2008.11 (ground-nuts, prepared or preserved). Confirm the exact sub-heading for your destination market with your customs broker.
u003cstrongu003eWhich documents are required to export peanut butter?u003c/strongu003e
Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading/airway bill, certificate of origin, health/phytosanitary certificate where required, lab analysis report, shipping bill and insurance certificate.
u003cstrongu003eWhat does FOB vs CIF mean for food exports?u003c/strongu003e
Under FOB the seller delivers the goods loaded onto the vessel at the origin port; under CIF the seller also pays freight and insurance to the destination port. CIF gives the buyer a landed cost; FOB gives them control of shipping.
u003cstrongu003eWhich countries import peanut butter from India?u003c/strongu003e
Major markets include the USA, Canada, UK, EU, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Singapore and Indonesia.
