The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued a notification on October 15, 2025, amending the import policy for Areca Nuts and Roasted Areca Nuts. For raw Areca Nuts (ITC HS Code 08028090), the policy remains Prohibited, but import is now free if the Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF) value is Rs. 351/- or more per Kilogram. Similarly, for Roasted Areca Nuts (ITC HS Code 20081991), the policy is generally Free, but import is Prohibited if the CIF value is less than Rs. 351/- per Kilogram. This new Minimum Import Price (MIP) condition aims to restrict the import of lower-value Areca Nuts. Importantly, the MIP condition is not applicable to imports made by 100% Export Oriented Units (EOUs), units in Special Economic Zones (SEZ), or imports under the Advance Authorization Scheme, allowing these specialized units to bypass the price floor for their operational needs.
Government of India
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Departme it of Commerce
Directorate General of Foreign Trade
Notification No. 43/2025-26-DGFT | Dated: 15 October 2025
Subject: Amendment in import policy and policy condition of Areca Nuts falling under ITC (HS) Code 08028090 and 20081991 of Chapter-20 of ITC (HS), 2022, Schedule-I (Import Policy)
S.O. 4699(E).— In exercise of powers conferred by Section 3 read with section 5 of Foreign Trade(Development & Regulation) Act, 1992, read with paragraph 1.02 and 2.01 of the Foreign Trade Policy(FTP) 2015-2020, as amended from time to time, the Central Government hereby adds following condition against ITC (HS) Codes 08028090
and 20081991 of Schedule-I (Import Policy) of ITC (HS) 2022:
| ITC (HS) Codes | Description | Policy | Policy Condition |
| 08028090 | Areca Nut — Other |
Prohibited | (a) However, import is free if the CIF value is Rs. 351/- and above per Kilogram.
(a) The Minimum Import Price mentioned above, however, will not be applicable for import by 100% Export Oriented Units (EOUs), units in the SEZ and imports under the Advance Authorization Scheme. |
| 20081991 | — Other: —-
Other roasted |
Free | (a) However, import of Roasted Areca Nuts having CIF value less than Rs. 351/- per Kilogram is Prohibited.
(b) Import of all other roasted nuts and seeds remains Free. (c) The Minimum Import Price mentioned at (a), however, will not be applicable for the import of Roasted Areca Nuts by 100% Export Oriented U sits (EOUs), units in the SEZ and imports under the Advance Authorization Scheme. |
Effect of this Notification:
The Import of “Roasted Areca Nuts” falling under ITC (HS) Code 20081991, having CIF value less than Rs 351/- per Kilogram is “Prohibited”.
This is issued with the approval of the Commerce and Industry Minister.
(Ajay Bhaddo)
Addl. Secretary to the Government of India &
Director General of Foreign Trade
e-mail: dgft@nic.in
[File no.01/89/180/43/AM-01/PC-2[A]/E-1256]
