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Handicrafts

Export incense sticks (agarbatti) and dhoop

Masala and dipped incense sticks, cones and dhoop for the USA, the Gulf, Africa and Latin America.

Free to exportHS 3307.41
HS code
3307.41
Agarbatti and other odoriferous preparations that work by burning — incense sticks, cones and dhoop.
Export policy
Free to export
Free to export. (Imports of agarbatti into India are restricted, but that does not affect exports.)
Registrations
3
IEC, GST and those below
India’s exports, 2025-26
US$ 151 mn
to 135 countries

What is exported

Bengaluru, Mysuru and other centres make masala and perfume-dipped incense, cones and dhoop. Buyers include ethnic grocers, spiritual and wellness stores and private-label brands. In 2025-26 India exported about US$ 151 million under HS 3307.41; the USA was the largest buyer, followed by Nigeria, the UAE, Spain and Malaysia.

Varieties, grades and forms

  • Masala agarbatti (hand-rolled)Bamboo sticks rolled in a paste of charcoal, resins and herbs — the classic Mysore and Bengaluru style.
  • Dipped (perfumed) agarbattiRaw sticks dipped in perfume oil; cheaper, high volume.
  • Dhoop sticks and conesStick-less incense made from a thick paste; popular with diaspora buyers.
  • Sambrani, loban and resin cupsBenzoin and resin products for home and religious use.

Where it is grown or made

  • KarnatakaBengaluru and Mysuru — the largest makers and exporters
  • GujaratAhmedabad
  • BiharGaya — agarbatti rolling cluster
  • Tripura and AssamBamboo stick making for the agarbatti industry

Export packing

  • Sticks are packed in printed paper boxes or flow-wrapped packs (often 10–20 g), then in inner cartons and 5-ply master cartons.
  • Line the carton with a polybag so the fragrance does not fade and moisture does not get in.
  • Labels must list ingredients and safety warnings as the buyer country requires; EU buyers may ask for a safety data sheet for the perfume oils.

Who buys abroad

  • Importers and distributors who supply supermarkets and gift shops
  • Indian and Asian grocery chains abroad
  • Wellness, yoga and home-fragrance brands (private label)
  • Religious-goods wholesalers

The quality buyers ask for

Stick length and weight
Common lengths 8, 9 and 11 inches; weight per stick and sticks per pack
Burning time
Minutes per stick, tested in still air
Moisture
Low moisture so sticks burn evenly and do not grow mould
Fragrance materials
Perfume compounds that follow IFRA Standards, with a safety data sheet from the perfume supplier
Emissions (EU)
European test standards for combustible air fresheners (EN 16738 methods and EN 16739 requirements) are used by EU buyers
Hazard classification
Classification of the scented mixture under EU CLP, which decides warning pictograms on the pack

Certificates

  • Safety data sheet and CLP classificationRequiredEU importers need an SDS and correct CLP hazard labelling for scented incense; without it goods cannot be placed on the market.
  • IFRA conformity certificateOften askedCertificate from the perfume supplier that the fragrance meets IFRA limits for the product category.
  • Fumigation / phytosanitary (if required)Often askedSome countries ask for fumigation of incense containing plant material; check the importing country's rules.
  • ISO 9001Often askedQuality management for larger manufacturers.
  • Social compliance auditOften askedAsked for by chain stores, especially where home-workers roll sticks.

Shipping, storage and shelf life

Container load

Light and bulky: packs go in master cartons, shipped LCL or in 20-ft and 40-ft containers loaded by volume. Seal inner packs in film to hold fragrance.

How it travels

Sea freight from Chennai or Bengaluru ICD; air or courier for samples.

Storage

Store cool and dry, away from strong smells; fragrance fades with heat.

Shelf life

Keeps for a long time if sealed and dry, but fragrance weakens; buyers usually want stock made within the last year.

What goes on the pack and carton

  • EU: CLP label in the local language with hazard pictograms, signal word, hazard and precautionary statements, supplier name and address, and a UFI code where required.
  • Safety advice: burn on a heat-proof holder, never leave unattended, keep away from children.
  • Net count or weight, 'Made in India', and batch number.
Where to get it tested

The Fragrance and Flavour Development Centre (FFDC), Kannauj, a Ministry of MSME body, tests incense and fragrances and trains makers. For emission or chemical tests, search the NABL directory under chemical testing. The perfume supplier must give IFRA certificates and SDS data.

Benefits of exporting this product

Where to register

  • EPCHAgarbatti and attars are under EPCH as per DGFT Appendix 2T; take the RCMC there.epch.in ↗

Quality and checks

  • EU: scented products may need hazard labelling under the CLP rules and must respect REACH limits on fragrance chemicals; get a safety data sheet for the perfume you use.
  • Burn test, moisture level and fragrance retention — buyers check these on samples.
  • Retail labels in the buyer's language with safety warnings ("burn under supervision", "keep away from children").
How to start small

Start with a small range of masala sticks in retail packs, made by an established manufacturer if you do not own a unit. Register with EPCH, send sample kits to Indian grocery importers in the USA or the Gulf, and ship mixed cartons by LCL.

Where new exporters go wrong

  • Sticks absorbing moisture and growing mould at sea — use moisture-proof inner packing.
  • Fragrance oils with chemicals restricted in the EU; ask your perfume supplier for compliance documents.
  • Copying another brand's name or pack design — trademark claims abroad can seize your goods.

Documents this product needs

Schemes that apply

Sources (5)
  1. Department of Commerce, Export Import Data Bank — India's exports of HS 3307.41 by country, 2025-26
  2. DGFT — Appendix 2T: Export Promotion Councils and the products under each
  3. DGFT — ITC(HS) export policy search (Schedule 2)
  4. European Chemicals Agency — Understanding REACH
  5. EPCH — official site

Trade data

Indian incense sticks (agarbatti) and dhoop exports in numbers

From the Department of Commerce’s TradeStat, country by country. US$, Indian financial years (April–March).

Exports in 2025-26
US$ 151 mn
+3% a year on average, 2020-21 to 2025-26
Change from 2024-25
↓ -0.4%
US$ 152 mn → US$ 151 mn
Buyer countries
135
Average export price
US$ 3.50
per kg · 43,152 tonnes shipped · US$ 3.61 the year before
United States of America: US$ 19.3 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 7.1 mnSpain: US$ 6.9 mnMalaysia: US$ 5.8 mnUnited Kingdom: US$ 5.2 mnSouth Africa: US$ 3.3 mnSingapore: US$ 3 mnNetherlands: US$ 2.8 mnMauritius: US$ 2.8 mnBangladesh: US$ 2.7 mnAustralia: US$ 2.2 mnFrance: US$ 2 mnGermany: US$ 2 mnChina: US$ 1.9 mnSaudi Arabia: US$ 1.8 mnUnited States of America: US$ 19.3 mnUnited States of AmericaUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 7.1 mnUnited Arab EmiratesSpain: US$ 6.9 mnSpainMalaysia: US$ 5.8 mnMalaysiaUnited Kingdom: US$ 5.2 mnUnited KingdomSouth Africa: US$ 3.3 mnSouth AfricaSingapore: US$ 3 mnNetherlands: US$ 2.8 mnMauritius: US$ 2.8 mnBangladesh: US$ 2.7 mnAustralia: US$ 2.2 mnFrance: US$ 2 mnGermany: US$ 2 mnChina: US$ 1.9 mnSaudi Arabia: US$ 1.8 mnIndia
Where Indian incense sticks (agarbatti) and dhoop goes — among our 30 countries, 2025-26
2020-21: US$ 130 mn1302020-212021-22: US$ 150 mn1502021-222022-23: US$ 132 mn1322022-232023-24: US$ 153 mn1532023-242024-25: US$ 152 mn1522024-252025-26: US$ 151 mn1512025-26
India’s incense sticks (agarbatti) and dhoop exports, year by year · US$ million

The price cycle

India’s average export price per kg each year (total value ÷ total quantity). Highest in 2020-21, lowest in 2025-26 — a 26% swing between them. Keep this swing in mind when you quote.

2020-21: US$ 4.43 per kg4.432021-22: US$ 3.93 per kg2022-23: US$ 3.71 per kg2024-25: US$ 3.61 per kg2025-26: US$ 3.50 per kg3.502020-212021-222022-232023-242024-252025-26
Average export price of Indian incense sticks (agarbatti) and dhoop · US$ per kg · dotted = year in between not available

What next: a projection from the trend

The past trend carried forward — not a forecast by any authority. Sudden changes in policy, prices or demand are not in it.

2020-21: US$ 130 mn2020-212021-22: US$ 150 mn2021-222022-23: US$ 132 mn2022-232023-24: US$ 153 mn2023-242024-25: US$ 152 mn2024-252025-26: US$ 151 mn2025-262026-27: US$ 158 mn (US$ 145 mn – US$ 173 mn)1582026-272027-28: US$ 162 mn (US$ 147 mn – US$ 179 mn)1622027-28
India’s incense sticks (agarbatti) and dhoop exports and projection · hollow bars = projection, line = likely range
By 2027-28: US$ 162 mn

Likely range US$ 147 mn to US$ 179 mn.

Trend
+2.7% a year
Fit (R²)
0.43 — weak, read with care
Based on
6 years of official figures

Method: a straight line through the logarithm of yearly exports (log-linear regression); range = ±1 standard error.

Biggest buyer countries

By value in 2025-26. Change is against 2024-25.

Name2025-26Change
1United States of AmericaUS$ 19.3 mn-8.7%
2NigeriaUS$ 11 mn+43.1%
3United Arab EmiratesUS$ 7.1 mn-10.4%
4SpainUS$ 6.9 mn+16%
5MalaysiaUS$ 5.8 mn-3.5%
6United KingdomUS$ 5.2 mn+0.6%
7IraqUS$ 5 mn-14.6%
8MexicoUS$ 4.8 mn+15.6%
9ArgentinaUS$ 4.8 mn-14.8%
10ChileUS$ 4.1 mn-29.5%
11BrazilUS$ 3.6 mn-17.5%
12South AfricaUS$ 3.3 mn+1.2%

Where demand is rising and falling

Only countries that buy at least US$ 1 million or 1% of India’s exports of this product. Change from 2024-25 to 2025-26.

High demand

  1. BeninUS$ 530k → US$ 2 mn+284.9%
  2. BangladeshUS$ 1.1 mn → US$ 2.7 mn+142.9%
  3. SudanUS$ 1.6 mn → US$ 2.8 mn+80.9%
  4. NigeriaUS$ 7.7 mn → US$ 11 mn+43.1%
  5. SenegalUS$ 1.5 mn → US$ 2.1 mn+40.7%
  6. SingaporeUS$ 2.4 mn → US$ 3 mn+24.6%
  7. ChinaUS$ 1.6 mn → US$ 1.9 mn+20.6%
  8. SpainUS$ 5.9 mn → US$ 6.9 mn+16%

Low demand

  1. EthiopiaUS$ 1.9 mn → US$ 710k-61.8%
  2. NetherlandsUS$ 4.2 mn → US$ 2.8 mn-33.3%
  3. Saudi ArabiaUS$ 2.6 mn → US$ 1.8 mn-33.2%
  4. ChileUS$ 5.9 mn → US$ 4.1 mn-29.5%
  5. IndonesiaUS$ 1.8 mn → US$ 1.3 mn-25.3%
  6. VenezuelaUS$ 2.7 mn → US$ 2.1 mn-20.2%
  7. ColombiaUS$ 2 mn → US$ 1.6 mn-20.2%
  8. FranceUS$ 2.4 mn → US$ 2 mn-18.7%

Which forms sell, and at what price

India’s exports by 8-digit tariff line, 2025-26. Average price = total value ÷ total quantity (TradeStat): the average of every shipment on that line, not the price of any one deal.

Tariff lineValue 2025-26ChangeQuantityAverage price
Agarbatti and other odoriferous prpns whichoperate by burnin3307 41 00 · Perfumes and deodorizers, perfuming or deodorizing preparations for rooms, agarbatti and other odoriferous…US$ 151 mn-0.4%43,152 tonnesUS$ 3.50 per kgwas US$ 3.61

The world market

Each country’s own recorded exports and imports in UN Comtrade, 2023 (the latest year nearly every country has reported).

World imports
US$ 334 mn
2023
India among exporters
#2
of 110 countries
India’s share of world exports
27.2%
US$ 150 mn
Left for others to win
US$ 402 mn
exported by other countries

Top exporters — your competitors

  1. 1ChinaUS$ 230 mn 41.7%
  2. 2IndiaUS$ 150 mn 27.2%
  3. 3United Arab EmiratesUS$ 39.3 mn 7.1%
  4. 4Viet NamUS$ 22.2 mn 4%
  5. 5FranceUS$ 21.4 mn 3.9%
  6. 6SpainUS$ 12 mn 2.2%
  7. 7MalaysiaUS$ 10.4 mn 1.9%
  8. 8JapanUS$ 9 mn 1.6%
  9. 9USAUS$ 7.3 mn 1.3%
  10. 10ThailandUS$ 7.1 mn 1.3%

Biggest buyers in the world

  1. 1MalaysiaUS$ 42.8 mn 12.8%
  2. 2USAUS$ 36.2 mn 10.8%
  3. 3Saudi ArabiaUS$ 18.1 mn 5.4%
  4. 4JapanUS$ 17.3 mn 5.2%
  5. 5United Arab EmiratesUS$ 14.7 mn 4.4%
  6. 6China, Hong Kong SARUS$ 12.4 mn 3.7%
  7. 7NetherlandsUS$ 11.2 mn 3.4%
  8. 8Other Asia, nesUS$ 10.5 mn 3.2%
  9. 9OmanUS$ 9.2 mn 2.8%
  10. 10SpainUS$ 8 mn 2.4%

Opportunity: what these countries buy from the world, and from India

Each country’s own recorded imports in UN Comtrade, latest year it has reported. The long light part of each bar is demand other countries are filling today.

MalaysiaUS$ 43.1 mnIndia 36.9% · gap US$ 27.2 mn
Saudi ArabiaUS$ 21.1 mnIndia 14.8% · gap US$ 18 mn
JapanUS$ 16.7 mnIndia 7.2% · gap US$ 15.5 mn
United States of AmericaUS$ 35.9 mnIndia 57.2% · gap US$ 15.3 mn
NetherlandsUS$ 13.6 mnIndia 26.4% · gap US$ 10 mn
OmanUS$ 9.2 mnIndia 2.9% · gap US$ 8.9 mn
SpainUS$ 14 mnIndia 39.2% · gap US$ 8.5 mn
ItalyUS$ 8.8 mnIndia 14.4% · gap US$ 7.6 mn
United Arab EmiratesUS$ 14.7 mnIndia 48.5% · gap US$ 7.6 mn
SingaporeUS$ 8.2 mnIndia 20.2% · gap US$ 6.5 mn

TradeStat’s 2023-24 quantities are double-counted, so that year is left out of the price. Sources: TradeStat — Export Import Data Bank, Department of Commerce · UN Comtrade database (United Nations Statistics Division) · Figures taken 29 October 2026.

Step by step

How to export incense sticks (agarbatti) and dhoop

India is the world's leading maker and exporter of incense sticks (agarbatti), dhoop and cones, with a long tradition centred on Bengaluru and Mysuru. Competition comes from Vietnam and China, which supply raw bamboo sticks and cheap finished incense, and from smaller makers in Nepal, Thailand and Indonesia. Demand comes from Indian and South Asian communities abroad, wellness and yoga shops, and religious and home-fragrance markets in the USA, Latin America, Africa and the Gulf. Openings are in natural, low-smoke and charcoal-free incense, and in branded packs that meet European chemical labelling rules.

  1. 01Choose type and fragrance

    Decide masala, charcoal or dipped sticks and pick fragrances with IFRA certificates.

  2. 02Get sticks and raw material

    Source bamboo sticks, jigat powder, charcoal and binders; check moisture.

  3. 03Roll or machine-make

    Make sticks by hand or machine; dry fully before scenting.

  4. 04Scent and cure

    Dip or perfume, then cure so fragrance settles.

  5. 05Prepare SDS and labels

    Get the CLP classification for EU-bound packs and print labels in the buyer's language.

  6. 06Pack and ship

    Seal packs, pack master cartons, file the shipping bill and claim RoDTEP.

  7. 07Payment

    Advance or documents against payment with new buyers.

Meet buyers

Trade fairs

Questions

Questions about exporting incense sticks (agarbatti) and dhoop

Why does Europe need hazard labels on incense?
Perfume oils contain substances classified under EU CLP (for example skin sensitisers). The pack must show the right pictograms and statements.
Can I use imported bamboo sticks?
Import of round bamboo sticks has been restricted to promote Indian supply. Check the current DGFT import policy, and if you import under advance authorisation, keep records.
What is the difference between masala and dipped incense?
Masala sticks are rolled with aromatic powders and resins; dipped sticks are plain sticks soaked in perfume oil. Buyers price them differently.
Which council covers incense?
EPCH registers incense exporters; check the products page for the RCMC route.
How do I keep fragrance strong at arrival?
Cure properly, seal each pack in film, avoid hot storage, and ship soon after production.
Sources (5)
  1. EPCH (Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts) — official site
  2. Fragrance and Flavour Development Centre (FFDC), Kannauj — Ministry of MSME
  3. IFRA — Standards library
  4. ECHA — Understanding REACH
  5. NABL — search for accredited testing laboratories

Who buys Indian incense sticks (agarbatti) and dhoop

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