Export glossary
- Certificate of analysis (COA)
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A laboratory report of the test results for one lot. A spec sheet says what you supply as standard; a COA shows what a particular lot measured.
For sesame shipped to the EU, DGFT designates IOPEPC to issue export certification against a certificate of analysis from a NABL-accredited laboratory.
Source: DGFT, ITC (HS) Schedule 2, Export Policy (2018 edition)
- Total plate count (TPC)
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The trade name for what FSSAI calls the aerobic colony count: the number of bacterial colonies that grow from a gram of the sample, reported in cfu/g (colony-forming units per gram).
FSSAI sets it for dried and ground spices and herbs in Appendix B, Table 3A, with its sampling plan. See the cumin spec sheet.
Source: FSSAI, Appendix B: Microbiological Requirements, Version 2 (04.11.2024)
- Moisture
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The water in the product, stated as a percentage by mass or weight. Buyers compare it lot by lot against the limit on your spec sheet.
FSSAI sets a maximum per spice. For cumin it reads "Moisture content, percent by mass (maximum) 10.0". See the cumin spec sheet.
- Ethylene oxide (EtO)
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A fumigant. Buyers in the EU check spice and sesame lots for its residues, and the Spices Board has issued guidelines on preventing EtO contamination in spice exports.
IOPEPC's sesame procedure cites "the prescribed MRL (Maximum Residue Level) of 0.05 mg/kg set by EU".
Source: Spices Board India, Comprehensive Guidelines on Prevention of EtO contamination in Spices Exports (06.05.2024); IOPEPC, Procedure for export of sesame seeds to the EU
- Aflatoxin
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A group of toxins produced by moulds. Buyers of spices such as chilli ask for aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxin as two separate results.
The Spices Board circular lists, for chilli going to the EU and Northern Ireland, aflatoxin B1 5 ppb and total aflatoxin 10 ppb. See the red chilli powder spec sheet.
Source: Spices Board India, Circular 05/2022-23: mandatory sampling and testing of export consignments
- Maximum residue level (MRL)
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The highest level of a pesticide residue allowed in a food. The European Commission publishes the EU's MRLs product by product.
Say how and where your lots are tested against the destination's MRLs.
Source: European Commission, EU Pesticides Database (maximum residue levels); IOPEPC, Procedure for export of sesame seeds to the EU
- HS code
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The product's number in the Harmonized System, the WCO's international product nomenclature, where each category is identified by a six-digit code. India's ITC (HS) lines add two more digits.
The Spices Board's ITC (HS) list gives 0712 90 30 for dehydrated garlic flakes. Confirm your line with your customs broker (CHA). See the dehydrated garlic spec sheet.
Source: World Customs Organization, What is the Harmonized System (HS)?; Spices Board India, Trade classification: ITC (HS) codes for spices
- Incoterms (FOB, CIF)
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The ICC's standard terms for who pays for and bears the risk of each stage of delivering the goods. FOB and CIF are two of them; the current edition is Incoterms 2020.
The ICC describes CIF as reserved for maritime trade. Name the rule and the place, for example the port, on every quotation.
Source: International Chamber of Commerce, Incoterms® rules; International Chamber of Commerce, Incoterms® 2020
- Lot number (Batch number)
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The mark on the label, in numbers, letters or both, by which a lot can be traced in manufacture. FSSAI accepts "Lot number", "code number" or "batch number" and short forms such as L. No. or B. No.
Put the lot number on the COA too, so the buyer can match the report to the bags.
Source: FSSAI, Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, Version II (29.12.2021)
- Shelf life and best before
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Shelf life is how long the product keeps its quality under stated storage conditions. FSSAI defines the best before date as the end of that period, during which the food stays fully marketable.
State the storage conditions with the shelf life, for example cool and dry, and say how you arrived at it.
Source: FSSAI, Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, Version II (29.12.2021)
Sources checked 2 November 2026. This glossary is general information, not legal, tax or testing advice.