Building BusinessServices

Section 14

Essential oils (mint, citronella, sandalwood and others)

India’s exports: 335.64 US$ million · 2025-26 (provisional)

HS codes
2
top markets
5

How to start

  1. Get an Import Export Code (IEC) from DGFT online; it is free and linked to your PAN.
  2. Register with CHEMEXCIL and get your RCMC (Registration-cum-Membership Certificate) through the DGFT e-RCMC system.
  3. Start with one oil you can source steadily (mint, citronella, lemongrass) and sell to traders and fragrance houses with GC reports.
  4. Use CSIR-CIMAP crop and distillation guidance under the Aroma Mission.

Top buyer countries

  1. United States280.05 US$ million · 2025-26
  2. China73.95 US$ million · 2025-26
  3. France62.95 US$ million · 2025-26
  4. Germany42.97 US$ million · 2025-26
  5. Netherlands38.45 US$ million · 2025-26

Certificates and registrations

  • CHEMEXCIL RCMC
  • GC (gas chromatography) report against ISO or buyer specification
  • IFRA documents and allergen declarations for fragrance buyers; organic certificate if sold organic

Watch out for

  • Adulteration and price swings in mint oil are common.
  • Essential oils are flammable cargo and need dangerous-goods packing.

Businesses in the encyclopedia

Peppermint (Mint) Oil Distillation →Eucalyptus Oil Distillation →Geranium Oil Distillation →Menthol Crystal Unit →Bay Leaf (Tejpatta) Essential Oil Unit →

Sources (3)
  1. TradeStat, Department of Commerce — Export: Principal Commodity-wise, April–March 2026 (provisional), US$ million — row "I6, ESSENTIAL OILS"
  2. TradeStat (Export Import Data Bank), Department of Commerce — Commodity-wise all countries export, HS 3301, 2025-26, US$ million · 2025-26
  3. HBP Appendix 2T — List of EPCs / Commodity Boards (DGFT), via research/export-import.json · 2023