Why curry leaves travel by air
Fresh curry leaves lose aroma and colour quickly after picking and bruise easily. Air freight gets them to market while they are still fresh, which is why fresh leaves are almost always shipped by air rather than by sea.
How curry leaves are packed
Leaves are picked, sorted to remove damaged sprigs and packed fresh. Packing aims to keep the leaves cool, allow a little air flow and prevent crushing, typically in lined or perforated inner bags inside rigid boxes. Agree box sizes and labelling with your supplier before the first shipment.
Check plant-health rules first
Fresh leaves are plant material, and some countries apply specific plant-health requirements or extra checks to them. Before your first order, confirm with your plant-health authority or customs broker what is required for fresh curry leaves from India, including the phytosanitary certificate and any import permit.
Planning regular supply
Most curry leaf buyers need a steady weekly or twice-weekly supply. Share your expected volumes and delivery days with your exporter so picking, packing and flight bookings can be scheduled around them.
Documents
A typical air shipment of fresh curry leaves travels with:
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Air waybill
- Phytosanitary certificate
- Certificate of origin, where required
Working with NKS Exports
NKS Exports is a family export house in Namakkal, Tamil Nadu. We source directly from farms around Namakkal, grade produce by hand and inspect every batch before it leaves. Consignments move under our verified GSTIN and Import Export Code, and we ship by air or sea depending on the product and destination.
Send us your product list, quantities and destination, and we'll reply within one business day with availability, packing and freight options.
Related pages
This guide is general information for buyers. Import rules change and differ by country, so always confirm requirements with your customs broker or national authority.