Why this matters before you quote
If you quote a buyer a landed price without knowing the import duty at the destination, you either lose the deal or lose the margin. Most small exporters discover the duty after the contract is signed.
This guide covers the four markets where Indian agricultural exports have grown fastest under recent trade agreements.
Start with your HS code, not your crop name
The single most common mistake is treating "rice" as one product. Customs authorities do not.
Basmati, non-basmati white, parboiled and broken rice each sit under a different tariff line, and the duty gap between them can be significant. Before anything else, confirm the exact HS code your consignment falls under.
What the FTA actually changes
A free trade agreement does not automatically mean zero duty. It means a preferential rate that applies only when three conditions are met:
- Your product falls under a line included in the agreement's schedule
- You hold a valid Certificate of Origin
- The consignment meets the agreement's rules-of-origin criteria
Miss any one, and the buyer pays the standard rate.
Checking the current rate
Duty schedules change. Rather than working from a printed table that may be a year old, check the live rate for your specific crop and destination before you send a quotation.
What to do next
Confirm your HS code, check the current duty for your destination, and factor it into your quotation before you talk price with a buyer.