How to Import Pulses from India to Iran — Lentils, Chickpeas, Beans Guide

Pulses — chickpeas, lentils, mung beans, pigeon peas — are a staple in Iranian cuisine. India is one of the world's largest pulse producers and exporters. This guide walks Iranian buyers through every step of importing Indian pulses.

Why buy pulses from India

• India is the world's largest producer and consumer of pulses.
• Indian kabuli chickpeas (large-seeded) are in strong demand in Iran.
• Indian lentils (masoor), mung beans (moong) and pigeon peas (toor) are widely exported.
• Indian APEDA-registered packers meet global documentation standards.
• The India-Iran trade lane is well-established.

Common challenges for Iranian importers

• Receiving pulses with high foreign matter or broken percentage.
• Weevil damage not visible until arrival.
• Missing or outdated COA.
• Supplier not registered with APEDA.
• Poor packaging leading to moisture damage and infestation.
• No PSI — quality disputes on arrival.

How Blueroute Exim solves this

• We source only from APEDA-registered packers.
• We coordinate samples for buyer approval.
• We run PSI and lab testing (moisture, foreign matter, broken, weevil, sorting, size).
• We fumigate the consignment to prevent infestation during transit.
• We prepare complete documents (invoice, packing list, BL, COO, COA, phytosanitary).
• We ship from Mundra, Kandla or Nhava Sheva to Bandar Abbas.

Pulse varieties and specifications

### Kabuli Chickpeas (most exported to Iran) - Large-seeded (10–12 mm, 12–14 mm). - Cream / beige colour. - Common grades: 10mm, 11mm, 12mm counts. - Use: cooking, snacks, flour.

### Lentils (Masoor) - Whole (brown) or split (red / orange). - Use: cooking, soups.

### Mung Beans (Moong) - Whole (green) or split (yellow). - Use: cooking, sprouting.

### Pigeon Peas (Toor / Arhar) - Whole or split. - Use: cooking.

### Other Pulses - Chickpeas (desi, brown), urad (whole / split), kidney beans (rajma), peas.

Typical specifications

• Moisture: max 10–12%.
• Foreign matter: max 0.5–1%.
• Broken: max 2–5%.
• Weevil damage: max 1%.
• Sorting: machine-cleaned or manual-sorted.
• Size: per grade (e.g., 10mm, 11mm, 12mm chickpeas).
• Shelf life: 12–24 months.

Packaging options

• PP woven bags with inner polyliner: 25kg, 50kg.
• Paper bags (premium): 25kg.
• Vacuum packs (premium retail): 1kg, 2kg, 5kg.
• Private-label packaging with buyer artwork (subject to MOQ).

MOQ and container loading

• MOQ: 1 FCL (one 20ft container).
• Loading: approximately 18–24 MT per 20ft, depending on the pulse and packaging.
• For private label: MOQ is typically 5 MT per SKU.

Step-by-step import process

1. 1**Send your enquiry** with pulse, grade, size, packaging, target quantity, target port (Bandar Abbas).
2. 2**Receive a Proforma Invoice** with HS code (e.g., 071320 for chickpeas), country of origin, total value, payment terms.
3. 3**Approve the PI** and arrange payment.
4. 4**Sample approval** (if first order).
5. 5**Production / cleaning / sorting** at the APEDA-registered packer.
6. 6**Fumigation** to prevent infestation.
7. 7**Pre-shipment inspection** and lab testing.
8. 8**Stuffing and shipping** from Mundra, Kandla or Nhava Sheva.
9. 9**Documents delivered**.
10. 10**Clearance at Bandar Abbas**.

Required documents

• Commercial invoice (HS code, country of origin).
• Packing list.
• Bill of Lading.
• Certificate of Origin (APEDA / FIEO).
• Certificate of Analysis (moisture, foreign matter, broken, weevil, sorting).
• Phytosanitary certificate.
• Fumigation certificate.
• Health certificate (where applicable).
• APEDA registration copy (of the packer).
• Pre-shipment inspection certificate (if requested).
• Insurance certificate (under CIF).

Payment — bank compliant only

• Advance TT.
• 50% advance + 50% before BL release.
• LC at sight.
• Rupee payment through permitted Iranian bank accounts.

No crypto. No hawala.

Quality assurance

• APEDA-registered packers only.
• Sample approval before bulk packing.
• Fumigation before stuffing.
• Independent PSI on every shipment.
• Lab testing at NABL-accredited labs.
• Stuffing photographs and seal numbers shared.

Why choose Blueroute Exim

• Single-point India-side partner for pulse sourcing.
• APEDA-registered packer network.
• Independent PSI, lab testing and fumigation.
• Iran-ready Proforma Invoice for LC opening.
• Bank-compliant payment only.
• Based in Surat, Gujarat — close to Mundra and Kandla.
• Business hours: Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM IST.
• Contact: +91 93132 01754, info@bluerouteexim.in.

Key Takeaways

• Kabuli chickpeas (large-seeded) are most exported to Iran.
• Buy from APEDA-registered packers only.
• Insist on COA, phytosanitary and fumigation certificate.
• Run PSI before shipment — non-negotiable.
• Bank-compliant payment (TT, LC, rupee) is the only safe route.

If you want to import pulses from India to Iran, contact Blueroute Exim at info@bluerouteexim.in or +91 93132 01754.