The short answer
If you want one Indian vendor to handle sourcing, lab testing, export paperwork and shipping for spices, that is how every SpiceModo order runs. What we do not do is clear goods through customs in your country, hold your import registrations or act as importer of record. Those stay with you or your customs broker, unless a DAP or DDP programme is agreed.
Who does what, stage by stage
| Stage | SpiceModo | You or your broker |
|---|---|---|
| Sourcing | Single-origin lots from named growing regions. For made-to-order lines the origin is confirmed on the purchase order. | Specification, volume and delivery window |
| Processing and packing | Cleaning, grading, grinding and packing at our Hyderabad partner facility under our supervision. Retail (50 g, 100 g, 200 g) or bulk (5, 10, 25 or 50 kg); private label on request. | Artwork and any label rules specific to your market |
| Testing | Every lot at a NABL-accredited laboratory: identity, purity, moisture, ETO residue, microbial load, heavy metals, and active compounds where the line is sold on them. | Any additional parameters your specification requires |
| Export documents | The full pack listed below, prepared for your destination. | Import permits and registrations in your country |
| Freight | FCA Hyderabad ICD, or FOB Chennai Sea Port, or CIF to your named port. Nhava Sheva and Cochin on request. | Under FCA and FOB, you nominate the forwarder and insure the cargo |
| Destination | Documents in the form your broker needs; for the US, Prior Notice coordinated with your broker. | Customs clearance, duties, importer of record |
Documents with every shipment
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Certificate of Origin — non-preferential, or preferential where a trade agreement applies (India–UAE CEPA, India–UK CETA)
- Phytosanitary certificate — Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage
- Certificate of Analysis from a NABL-accredited laboratory, for the lot shipped
- ETO non-detect certificate
- Coumarin report on Ceylon cinnamon lots
- Fumigation certificate where applicable
What each market adds is set out on its own page: United States, United Kingdom, European Union and United Arab Emirates.
Where our responsibility ends
FOB: we clear the goods for export and load them on the vessel at the Indian port. From there, freight, insurance and risk are yours.
CIF: we also book the sea freight and cargo insurance to your named port. Under Incoterms 2020 the risk still passes to you once the goods are loaded in India, so the insurance we buy protects you in transit.
CFR, CPT, DAP and DDP are quoted for qualified programmes. If you are comparing a CIF quote with a landed price, our import cost breakdown shows what sits between the two.
Timeline
Typically 2–4 weeks from signed PO and advance payment to FOB, depending on the line, the packing format and lot availability. Pre-tested lots held in stock can ship in 7–10 days. Sea transit comes on top and depends on the route; each market page lists typical transit times.
Most buyers start with a sample. Evaluation samples ship by DHL or FedEx with the batch-specific Certificate of Analysis.
Payment
Payment terms are agreed on the proforma invoice. We invoice in USD, EUR, GBP or AED. Our registration numbers — FSSAI licence, FIEO export RCMC, IEC and GSTIN — are published on the certifications page.