Export Rice to UAE from India
Rice is an APEDA product, so the RCMC for a rice exporter comes from APEDA, not from a general council. Because the India-UAE CEPA is in force, a rice shipment that meets the rules of origin can carry a preferential certificate of origin.
Official sources checked: 2 Oct 2026
Rice is an APEDA product, so the RCMC for a rice exporter comes from APEDA, not from a general council. Because the India-UAE CEPA is in force, a rice shipment that meets the rules of origin can carry a preferential certificate of origin.
In FY 2025-26, India's exports to UAE of rice (HS 1006) were US$ 701.5 million, which is 6.1% of India's total exports of the same products (US$ 11,537.4 million), according to TradeStat.
How much does India export? FY 2025-26
| Product | 2024-25 (US$ million) | 2025-26 (US$ million) | Change | All countries, 2025-26 (US$ million) | Share to UAE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS 1006 | 506.5 | 701.5 | +38.5% | 11,537.4 | 6.1% |
Trade values are in US$ million for the financial year 2025-26 (April 2025 to March 2026), as published by TradeStat, Department of Commerce (data from DGCI&S) and fetched on 2026-10-02. They can be revised later. Shares and changes are calculated from those figures. Year-on-year change compares 2025-26 with 2024-25.
India-side licences and registrations for rice
| Licence | Issued by | Main official fee |
|---|---|---|
| IEC code (Importer Exporter Code) | DGFT, Ministry of Commerce | ₹500Checked on official page Source |
| APEDA RCMC | Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority | ₹5,900 (₹5,000 + 18% GST)Checked on official page Source |
| AD code (Authorised Dealer code) | Your bank gives the code; Customs registers it on ICEGATE | No amount shownTo confirm Source |
| GST LUT (Form GST RFD-11) | GST Department (filed on the GST portal) | No amount shownTo confirm Source |
| Phytosanitary certificate and import permit | Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage (DPPQS) | See DPPQSTo confirm Source |
| Certificate of origin (e-CoO) | Agencies authorised by DGFT (chambers, EPCs and others) | ₹200Checked on official page Source |
Fees and rules change and can differ between offices. Confirm the fee on the official portal before you pay. Amounts marked To confirm could not be checked on an official page.
Policy check
DGFT's export schedule (2021 edition) shows rice of seed quality, and rice in husk (paddy) other than seed quality, as Restricted. Milled rice for eating is not named in the restricted lines we read, but DGFT revises rice export conditions by notification, so read the current policy for your 8-digit code first.
DGFT's lists we read: restricted imports (2019), prohibited imports (2019), export schedule (2021). Current policy: DGFT policy search. HS chapter details: Chapter 10: Cereals.
Trade agreement and certificate of origin
India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Signed 28 March 2022, in force from 1 May 2022.
Exports that qualify under the CEPA can carry a preferential certificate of origin (₹600) issued through trade.gov.in, so your UAE buyer can claim the CEPA duty concession. Other shipments use the non-preferential certificate (₹200).
DGFT Appendix 2A: list of Free Trade Agreements and Preferential Trade Agreements
Steps for this route
- Get your IEC from DGFT (IEC guide). Fee ₹500.
- Register your bank's AD code on ICEGATE (AD code guide).
- Check your 8-digit rice code on DGFT's policy search. Rules for different types of rice can differ.
- Get the phytosanitary certificate from the plant quarantine authority if your buyer or the UAE rules ask for it.
- Pack in new bags or containers and, if you use wood packaging, make sure it meets ISPM-15.
- File the shipping bill on ICEGATE and keep the e-BRC after you are paid (export guide).