Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormDried, ground powder
Industry PositionFood Ingredient (Spice)
Market
Cinnamon powder in Pakistan is primarily an import-supplied spice ingredient used in household cooking and by packaged food manufacturers (recipe mixes, seasonings, and plain spices). Trade is anchored to HS 0906.20 (crushed/ground) and is handled through Pakistan Customs clearance processes and plant quarantine controls for plant products. Branded packaged spice producers operate industrial manufacturing sites (e.g., Karachi and Faisalabad footprints for major national brands), alongside broad wholesale distribution. Key commercial attention points are regulatory import-permit compliance and food-safety/identity assurance (avoiding adulteration and mislabeling of cinnamon type/origin).
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer and processing market
Domestic RoleWidely used culinary spice for households and as an input for packaged foods (plain spices and spice/recipe mixes).
SeasonalityYear-round availability driven by imports and inventory; no domestic harvest season of note.
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighPakistan’s Department of Plant Protection (DPP) states that no import of plant/plant products shall be done without a valid import permit; failure to obtain the correct commodity- and country-specific permit can block clearance for cinnamon powder shipments.Obtain the DPP import permit before purchase, confirm commodity form/origin-specific phytosanitary requirements, and align supplier documentation to the permit conditions.
Food Safety MediumGround spices carry elevated adulteration and contamination risk (identity substitution, moisture-related mold, and contaminant residues), which can trigger buyer rejection, enforcement actions, or export-market barriers for packaged products.Require lot-specific COA, implement incoming inspection and third-party lab testing, and maintain supplier approval programs focused on identity and contaminant controls.
Documentation Gap MediumHS misclassification (whole vs ground) and inconsistent documents (COA, origin, labeling/batch records) can cause duty/tax misassessment, clearance delay, or post-clearance dispute.Lock HS classification early (HS 0906.20 for ground), reconcile invoice/packing list/COA/labeling data, and use pre-arrival document checks aligned to importer broker requirements.
Logistics LowPort congestion and prolonged dwell time increase moisture exposure risk and working-capital costs for imported cinnamon powder.Use moisture-barrier packaging, desiccants where appropriate, and plan inventory buffers around clearance lead times.
Sustainability- Origin and authenticity traceability (Ceylon vs cassia type) to prevent substitution or mislabeling in ground spice supply chains
Standards- Halal assurance (buyer/channel dependent in Pakistan)
- GMP hygiene controls in grinding/packing
- Third-party food-safety certification (e.g., ISO 22000/FSSC 22000/BRCGS) — buyer/destination dependent
FAQ
Do I need an import permit to bring cinnamon powder into Pakistan?For plant and plant-product imports, Pakistan’s Department of Plant Protection (DPP) states that no import shall be done without obtaining a valid import permit. The permit is commodity- and country-specific, so you should confirm the exact cinnamon powder import requirements with DPP before shipping.
What duties and taxes apply to importing cinnamon powder into Pakistan under HS 0906.20?Pakistan’s Trade Information Portal (TIPP) lists HS 090620000000 (cinnamon, crushed/ground) with statutory Customs Duty of 10% effective from 01-07-2025, Sales Tax (VAT) of 18%, and Income Tax of 12% (with validity windows shown on TIPP). Always verify the HS line and validity dates on TIPP for the shipment date.
Which system is used for customs clearance filings in Pakistan?Pakistan Customs (FBR) describes WeBOC as the web-based system used for end-to-end automated customs clearance of import and export goods, including filing Goods Declarations and processing clearance workflows.