Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormDried
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
White kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris; HS 071333) in India sit within the broader rajma/rajmash pulse market and are primarily consumed domestically. Production is strongly associated with North-Western Himalayan hill production systems where rajma is described as a high-value cash crop and where landraces are commonly grown for own consumption with limited marketed surplus. India’s pulse trade environment is policy-sensitive, with the Government using quantitative restrictions for some pulse categories in certain periods. Imports (when used) must clear both plant quarantine requirements and FSSAI’s food import clearance process integrated with Customs.
Market RoleDomestic consumption market with meaningful domestic production; policy-sensitive import market for pulses/beans
Domestic RoleHigh-value pulse crop in specific hill regions; mostly domestic consumption with limited surplus marketed from hill landraces
SeasonalityRajma cultivation is highlighted as an important kharif-season crop in parts of the hilly region of Uttarakhand, with reported crop duration ranges around ~90–115 days in some hill systems.
Specification
Primary VarietyRajmash/Rajma (kidney bean) hill landraces (NW Himalayan hills)
Physical Attributes- Trade acceptance and border clearance risk is sensitive to insect infestation/contamination and compliance with phytosanitary conditions recorded on the Phytosanitary Certificate when applicable.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Hill-region farms (NW Himalaya) → local aggregation/markets → national wholesale/packers → retail distribution
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighPulse/bean import access can be disrupted by policy actions such as quantitative restrictions, quotas, or changes in DGFT import policy conditions; this can block shipments even when commercial demand exists.Before contracting, verify the current DGFT ITC(HS) import policy status for HS 07133300 and check for active DGFT/Ministry notifications affecting pulses; add contract clauses for regulatory-change contingencies.
Phytosanitary HighNon-compliance with India’s Plant Quarantine Order (including missing/incorrect Phytosanitary Certificate, missing additional declarations, or unmet special conditions) can lead to treatment costs, clearance delays, or rejection/re-export/destruction depending on findings.Align the Phytosanitary Certificate text with the relevant Plant Quarantine Order schedule requirements and ensure any required treatments/declarations are correctly endorsed prior to shipment.
Food Safety MediumFSSAI clearance at points of entry can involve document scrutiny, inspection, and risk-based sampling/testing; non-conformance can delay clearance or lead to rejection actions.Prepare a complete FICS-aligned dossier (product/label/document set) and pre-check conformity against applicable Food Safety and Standards regulations for pulses/beans.
Sustainability- Hill-region landraces are described by ICAR as adapted to local microclimates and sometimes associated with organic/traditional production narratives; origin claims should be substantiated to avoid mislabeling risk.
FAQ
What HS/ITC(HS) code is commonly used for dried kidney beans (including white kidney beans) in India’s trade classification?DGFT’s ITC(HS), 2022 Schedule 1 lists code 07133300 for “Kidney beans, including white pea beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)” under dried leguminous vegetables.
Is a phytosanitary certificate required to import kidney beans into India?Under India’s Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003 (consolidated), consignments specified in Schedules V, VI and VII must be accompanied by an original Phytosanitary Certificate issued by an authorized officer in the country of origin, including any required additional declarations and special conditions.
How are imported beans/pulses cleared for food safety at Indian ports?FSSAI uses the Food Import Clearance System (FICS), integrated with Customs ICEGATE under SWIFT, where food consignments referred by Customs undergo document scrutiny, visual inspection, and (based on risk profiling) sampling and testing to assess compliance with Food Safety and Standards regulations.