INDIA DRIED APRICOT IMPORT BILL OF LADING DATA

India Dried Apricot Import Market Overview

India represents one of the largest import markets for dried apricots globally, driven by strong domestic demand from the food processing, bakery, confectionery, and traditional sweet-making industries. The country sources a significant portion of its dried apricot supply from Afghanistan, which has historically been a leading exporter of premium-quality dried apricots in the South and Central Asian region. Afghanistan's climatic conditions — particularly in the northern provinces such as Badakhshan, Bamyan, and Parwan — are exceptionally well-suited for cultivating high-sugar, naturally sun-dried apricots that are highly sought after by Indian importers.

Under the Harmonized System (HS) code 08131000, dried apricots are classified as "Apricots, dried" and are subject to specific import regulations, customs duties, and phytosanitary requirements enforced by the Government of India through the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). Indian importers must comply with these regulations, including obtaining Importer Exporter Code (IEC) registration, adhering to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) labeling norms, and ensuring that shipments meet the prescribed quality standards.

The bill of lading data presented below captures actual shipment records from December 2022, providing a transparent view into the trading patterns, volumes, and key players involved in the India-Afghanistan dried apricot trade corridor. This data is invaluable for exporters, trade analysts, and logistics professionals seeking to understand the dynamics of this important agricultural commodity flow.

India Dried Apricot Importers — Bill of Lading Records

The following table presents verified bill of lading data for dried apricot shipments imported into India during December 2022. Each record includes the shipment date, importing country, exporting country, HS code, product description, importer name, and quantity in kilograms. Exporter names are withheld in compliance with trade data confidentiality practices. All shipments under this dataset were cleared through Indian customs ports from Afghanistan-origin consignments.

Key Importer Analysis

VINOD IMPEX — Largest Single Shipment

VINOD IMPEX recorded the single largest shipment in this dataset, importing 24,000 KGS of dried apricots on December 18, 2022. This volume alone accounts for approximately 49.6% of the total recorded quantity for the period, making VINOD IMPEX the dominant buyer in this particular shipment window. Large-volume importers like VINOD IMPEX typically serve as wholesale distributors supplying dried fruits to regional markets across northern and western India, where dried apricots are widely used in culinary applications ranging from Mughlai cuisine to festive sweets and snack mixes.

M/S FORTUNE IMPEX — Multiple Consignments

M/S FORTUNE IMPEX appears twice in the dataset, with two separate shipments on December 23, 2022, totaling 8,806 KGS (4,870 KGS + 3,936 KGS). The occurrence of multiple consignments within the same date suggests that this importer may be working with several Afghan suppliers simultaneously or receiving split shipments from a single large order. This pattern is common among established importers who maintain diverse sourcing strategies to ensure supply chain continuity and competitive pricing.

AKHIL ENTERPRISES & J H S ENTERPRISES

Both AKHIL ENTERPRISES (4,290 KGS) and J H S ENTERPRISES (3,800 KGS) represent mid-range import volumes, indicative of moderately sized trading firms that likely serve specific regional markets or niche product segments. These enterprises typically operate in India's major dry fruit trading hubs, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Amritsar, where dried apricots from Afghanistan command premium prices due to their superior taste and texture compared to alternatives from other origins.

MEHRA DRY FRUIT IMPEX & BOLANI TRADING CO

MEHRA DRY FRUIT IMPEX (3,888 KGS) and BOLANI TRADING CO (3,960 KGS) represent consistent import volumes that suggest established trading relationships with Afghan suppliers. BOLANI TRADING CO's name itself indicates potential Afghan-origin connections, as "Bolani" is a traditional Afghan flatbread, suggesting deep cultural and trade ties between the firm and Afghan dried fruit producers. MEHRA DRY FRUIT IMPEX, with its name explicitly referencing dry fruits, is likely a specialized trader focusing exclusively on the dried fruit and nut category.

SAMSOR BANN TRADERS PVT LTD — Niche Importer

SAMSOR BANN TRADERS PVT LTD recorded the smallest shipment in the dataset at 336 KGS, with the product description specifying "CHAPAN..." — likely referring to "Chapan," a well-known Afghan dried apricot variety. This smaller volume may indicate a specialized or sample-order import, possibly for quality assessment before committing to larger procurement volumes. Alternatively, it could represent a niche market supplier catering to premium or gourmet segments that prioritize specific apricot cultivars over bulk commodity purchasing.

Afghanistan-India Dried Apricot Trade Corridor

The Afghanistan-India trade corridor for dried apricots is facilitated through several key transit routes. The primary land route passes through Pakistan via the Wagah-Attari border crossing, while air cargo routes operate through Kabul, Kandahar, and Herat airports connecting to major Indian airports such as Indira Gandhi International Airport (Delhi) and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (Mumbai). The choice of route depends on factors including shipment volume, urgency, seasonal accessibility of mountain passes, and prevailing geopolitical conditions in the region.

Afghan dried apricots are particularly valued in the Indian market for their natural sweetness, rich orange color, and absence of artificial preservatives or sulfites. The traditional sun-drying method employed by Afghan farmers preserves the fruit's nutritional content, including high levels of vitamin A, potassium, and dietary fiber. These qualities make Afghan apricots a preferred ingredient for Indian health food products, traditional medicine (Ayurveda) formulations, and premium confectionery items.

HS Code 08131000 — Regulatory Framework

HS code 08131000 falls under Chapter 08 of the Harmonized System, which covers "Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons." Specifically, this code is assigned to dried apricots, distinguishing them from fresh apricots (0809) and preserved or prepared apricot products (2008). Indian importers dealing under this HS code must be aware of the following regulatory considerations that govern the importation of dried apricots into India.

Customs duty on dried apricots imported into India typically includes Basic Customs Duty (BCD), Social Welfare Surcharge, and Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST). The applicable rates may vary based on trade agreements, preferential tariff treatments, and any temporary duty modifications announced by the Indian government. Importers are advised to consult the Indian Customs Tariff and relevant notifications issued by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) for the most current duty rates applicable to HS 08131000.

Phytosanitary certification is mandatory for all dried fruit imports into India. Shipments must be accompanied by a valid phytosanitary certificate issued by the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) of the exporting country. Additionally, the FSSAI requires that imported food products comply with Indian food safety standards, including limits on moisture content, microbial contamination, pesticide residues, and heavy metals. Importers must also ensure proper labeling in accordance with FSSAI's Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations.

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