Spices Board Makes Aflatoxin Test Clearance Mandatory for Chilli Exports to Sri Lanka from 19 October 2026 — Sample Drawn Certificate Facility Withdrawn

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Dated: 21.10.2026

Spices Board Makes Aflatoxin Test Clearance Mandatory for Chilli Exports to Sri Lanka from 19 October 2026 — Sample Drawn Certificate Facility Withdrawn

The Spices Board of India, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, has introduced revised pre-shipment testing and clearance requirements for the export of whole chilli and chilli-based products to Sri Lanka.

Through Circular No. 02/2026-27 dated 12 October 2026, the Board has mandated that consignments intended for Sri Lanka must undergo pre-shipment sampling and be accompanied by a Cleared Test Report for aflatoxins issued by the Spices Board.

The revised requirements came into force on 19 October 2026.

Significantly, the Board has withdrawn the earlier facility permitting exports of whole chilli to Sri Lanka based on a Sample Drawn Certificate (SDC). Export clearance will now depend on a cleared analytical report demonstrating compliance with the prescribed aflatoxin limits.

The circular is particularly relevant to Indian exporters of whole chilli, chilli powder, curry powder and masala products containing chilli, as well as customs brokers, freight forwarders and export compliance professionals.

1. Background: Sri Lanka’s Quality Standards for Chilli Imports

The Spices Board has referred to Sri Lanka Standard Specification 1563:2017, governing whole and ground chilli intended for the Sri Lankan market.

The circular also refers to two earlier Spices Board communications:

Circular No. 24/2022-23 dated 23 March 2023.
Circular No. 05/2025-26 dated 28 August 2025.

In alignment with the Sri Lankan standard, the Board has revised its export quality-management requirements relating to aflatoxin contamination.

Aflatoxins are naturally occurring toxic substances produced by certain fungi. They may contaminate agricultural commodities, including spices, under unsuitable growing, drying or storage conditions.

Consequently, laboratory testing and adherence to prescribed limits are important for maintaining food safety and meeting importing-country requirements.

2. Revised Maximum Permissible Aflatoxin Limits

The Spices Board has prescribed the following maximum aflatoxin levels for chilli and chilli products exported to Sri Lanka:

Parameter	Maximum permissible limit
Aflatoxin B1	5.0 µg/kg
Total aflatoxins	10.0 µg/kg

These limits apply to the products covered by the circular.
Exporters must ensure that the analytical results demonstrate compliance with both parameters before seeking clearance.
The circular does not establish any general exemption from these limits for particular categories of exporters.

3. Mandatory Pre-Shipment Sampling and Cleared Test Report

One of the most important changes is the requirement for pre-shipment sampling followed by a cleared analytical report issued by the Spices Board.
With effect from 19 October 2026, consignments of whole chilli and chilli products intended for Sri Lanka must comply with the revised testing framework.

The requirement expressly covers:

Whole chilli.
Chilli powder.
Chilli-based products.
Curry powder containing chilli.
Masalas containing chilli.

The circular directs that the cleared report must accompany the consignment for further clearance by Customs authorities.

For exporters, this means that shipment planning must account for the sampling and testing process before the goods are presented for export clearance.

4. Sample Drawn Certificate Facility Withdrawn for Whole Chilli

A significant regulatory change concerns the withdrawal of the existing Sample Drawn Certificate (SDC) mechanism for whole chilli exports to Sri Lanka.
Under the earlier monitoring arrangement, whole chilli consignments could be cleared on the basis of an SDC.
However, the Spices Board has expressly revoked this facility from 19 October 2026.
Accordingly, a Sample Drawn Certificate alone is no longer sufficient for export clearance of whole chilli consignments covered by the circular.
Instead, exporters must obtain a cleared analytical report confirming compliance with the prescribed aflatoxin limits.
This distinction is important because a certificate confirming that a sample has been drawn is not equivalent to an analytical report establishing that the tested consignment meets the applicable quality limits.

5. Existing Testing System Continues for Chilli Powder and Masala Products

The circular makes an important distinction between whole chilli and processed chilli products.
For chilli powder and chilli-containing products, including curry powder and masalas, the existing system of permitting exports on the basis of cleared analytical reports will continue.
However, the revised aflatoxin limits will apply.
Therefore, the change is not the introduction of an entirely new testing mechanism for all processed chilli products.

Rather, the circular:

Withdraws SDC-based clearance for whole chilli.
Requires cleared analytical reports for whole chilli exports.
Continues the analytical-report-based clearance system for chilli powder and chilli-containing products.
Applies the revised aflatoxin limits across the covered consignments.

This distinction should be reflected in exporters’ internal compliance procedures.

6. Customs Clearance: Directions to Customs Authorities Across India

The Spices Board has addressed the circular to Commissioners and other concerned Customs officials across India.
It specifically requests Customs authorities to permit export of whole chilli consignments to Sri Lanka from 19 October 2026 only on the basis of a cleared analytical report issued by the Spices Board.
Accordingly, the report becomes a critical supporting document for the export clearance process.
Customs brokers and exporters should verify the availability of the required report before presenting consignments for clearance.
The circular does not prescribe a separate Customs penalty, detention period or adjudication procedure for non-compliance. Those matters should not be assumed merely from the circular.
Nevertheless, failure to produce the prescribed report may prevent the consignment from obtaining the clearance contemplated under the revised mechanism.

7. HS Code 0904: Export Classification and Product Coverage

The circular expressly directs exporters of chilli and chilli products under HS Code 0904 to comply with the revised requirements.
HS Heading 0904 broadly concerns pepper of the genus Piper and dried, crushed or ground fruits of the genus Capsicum or Pimenta.
However, exporters should not assume that every curry powder or mixed masala containing chilli necessarily falls under Heading 0904.
The appropriate tariff classification of a mixed preparation must be determined independently according to its composition, applicable tariff headings and classification rules.
The circular’s product-specific testing requirement and the correct Customs tariff classification are separate compliance considerations.
Therefore, exporters should examine both the scope of the Spices Board circular and the classification applicable to the particular product being shipped.

8. Statutory Framework and Legal Authority

Circular No. 02/2026-27 expressly states that it has been issued under the provisions of:

A. Spices Board Act, 1986

The Act provides the statutory framework governing the Spices Board and its functions relating to the development and regulation of the spices sector.

B. Spices Board (Registration of Exporters) Regulations, 1989

These Regulations form part of the framework governing the registration of exporters dealing in spices and spice products.
The circular partially modifies the earlier requirements communicated through Circular No. 24/2022-23.
It is important to distinguish the scope of this regulatory instruction from a general prohibition on chilli exports.
The circular does not impose a blanket export ban on chilli or chilli products to Sri Lanka. Instead, it prescribes mandatory testing and documentary conditions for the export clearance of covered consignments.

9. Compliance Checklist for Indian Exporters

Exporters dealing with Sri Lankan buyers should review their shipment procedures against the revised requirements.

Compliance requirement	Action required
Destination	Confirm whether the shipment is intended for Sri Lanka
Product coverage	Identify whole chilli, chilli powder or chilli-containing products
HS classification	Verify the appropriate tariff classification
Pre-shipment sampling	Arrange sampling under the applicable Spices Board procedure
Aflatoxin B1	Ensure test result does not exceed 5.0 µg/kg
Total aflatoxins	Ensure test result does not exceed 10.0 µg/kg
Analytical report	Obtain the cleared report issued by the Spices Board
SDC-based clearance	Do not rely solely on an SDC for whole chilli
Customs documentation	Ensure the required report accompanies the consignment
Shipping schedule	Allow adequate time for sampling, testing and clearance

Exporters should also maintain appropriate coordination with their customs brokers, laboratories, overseas buyers and logistics service providers.
The circular does not specify testing fees, laboratory turnaround times or a detailed online application procedure. Exporters should obtain these operational details from the applicable Spices Board arrangements.

10. Implications for Indian Chilli Exporters and International Trade

The revised circular represents a move towards documentary confirmation of product conformity before shipment.
For exporters, this may have several practical implications.
First, export planning becomes more dependent on laboratory clearance. Shipments should be scheduled only after allowing sufficient time for sampling and obtaining the cleared report.
Second, quality control must begin before goods reach the port. Exporters may need to strengthen procurement, drying, storage and batch-testing practices to minimise aflatoxin contamination.
Third, customs documentation becomes more important. The absence of a required analytical report can create avoidable clearance difficulties.
Fourth, exporters of processed chilli products must reassess their existing procedures. Although their analytical-report-based clearance system continues, the revised aflatoxin thresholds must be observed.
From a trade-compliance perspective, the circular also illustrates how importing-country food safety specifications can influence export documentation and clearance requirements in India.

11. Legal Commentary: Regulatory Compliance Versus Export Restrictions

The Spices Board’s decision should be understood as a quality-control and export-clearance measure rather than an outright restriction on international trade.
The distinction is legally significant.
The circular establishes measurable aflatoxin limits and requires documentary evidence of compliance. It also identifies the date from which the revised requirements apply and informs Customs authorities of the clearance mechanism.
At the same time, the circular does not expressly address transitional treatment for consignments sampled or prepared before 19 October 2026 but presented for export clearance on or after that date.
Exporters facing such situations should seek clarification from the competent Spices Board and Customs authorities rather than presume that earlier sampling documentation will remain acceptable.
Similarly, where a shipment contains mixed spices or preparations with chilli, the precise applicability of the circular should be examined alongside the product description and applicable tariff classification.
These issues may become important in disputes involving delayed shipments, documentary deficiencies or disagreements over regulatory coverage.

12. Conclusion

Spices Board Circular No. 02/2026-27 marks an important compliance change for Indian chilli exports to Sri Lanka.

From 19 October 2026, whole chilli consignments can no longer rely solely on a Sample Drawn Certificate for export clearance. A cleared analytical report issued by the Spices Board is required.

For chilli powder and chilli-containing preparations, the existing analytical-report-based system continues, subject to the revised aflatoxin limits of 5.0 µg/kg for Aflatoxin B1 and 10.0 µg/kg for total aflatoxins.

Exporters, customs brokers and logistics professionals should review their pre-shipment procedures to avoid preventable clearance difficulties and ensure conformity with the applicable requirements.

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Source: Spices Board

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