How to Export Kinnow from Pakistan in 2026 A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Why Exporting Kinnow from Pakistan Is a Great Chance

Pakistan grows one of the citrus fruits in the world which is Kinnow. Kinnow from Pakistan is famous for having a lot of juice a skin that is easy to peel and a special taste. Because of this Pakistani Kinnow is well. Liked in many countries around the world. Every year Pakistan exports an amount of Kinnow to many countries in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and other places.

If you are a farmer, a trader or a business person who wants to start exporting fruits Kinnow is a good choice. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about Kinnow export from Pakistan including what Kinnow’s how to find people who want to buy it how to pack it in containers how to decide the price and how to complete all the paperwork, for exporting.

Lets start learning about exporting Kinnow from Pakistan.

What is Kinnow Kinnow versus Mandarin Let us understand the difference

Before we start exporting we need to know what we are dealing with. A lot of people who’re new to this business get Kinnow and Mandarin mixed up. Both are citrus fruits. They are not the same thing.

Let us look at Mandarin

Mandarin is grown in countries like China and Spain and Japan and the USA.
There are types of Mandarin like Tangerines and Clementines.
Mandarin has an amount of juice.
The peel of Mandarin is very thin.
Mandarin has few seeds or no seeds at all.

Now let us look at Kinnow

Kinnow is a kind of citrus fruit that is made by crossing King and Willow Leaf mandarin varieties.
The seed of Kinnow was first made in California. It grows really well in Pakistan because of the soil and climate.
You can only find real and good quality Kinnow in Pakistan.
Kinnow has a lot of juice more than Mandarin.
The peel of Kinnow is thick. It comes off easily.
Kinnow has seeds, around ten to fifteen seeds in each part.

The special taste of Kinnow and its high juice content make it very popular in countries. The way it grows in Pakistan is also unique. This is why people from over the world want to import Kinnow, from Pakistan. They specifically look for Pakistani Kinnow because of its quality.

Kinnow HS Code for Export from Pakistan

When you export Kinnow from Pakistan you need to know its HS Code. This code is important, for customs papers, trade numbers and pricing.

The HS codes for exporting Kinnow from Pakistan are:

Product	HS Code
Fresh Kinnow (Pakistan)	0805 21 910
Mandarin (General)	0805 21 0000

When you are exporting Pakistani Kinnow you need to use the HS code which is 0805 21 910. This HS code is necessary for all your export documents and shipping papers. You also have to include this HS code in your customs declarations for Pakistani Kinnow. The HS code 0805 21 910 is important, for Pakistani Kinnow exports.

Kinnow Export Season in Pakistan

The time of year is very important when it comes to exporting fruit. The Kinnow from Pakistan has a time of year when it is exported and you should plan your business around the Kinnow export season.

Here are the details:

Export Season Start: It usually starts on December 1st
Export Season End: It usually ends around the 15th of the month when the season ends

You should remember that these dates can change. Every year the government of Pakistan tells everyone when the Kinnow export season starts and ends. They can make the season longer or shorter depending on how many Kinnow fruitsre available. You should always check what the government says before you plan to export Kinnow.

This is the time when you need to get your Kinnow find people to buy them book the containers to ship them and take care of all the paperwork, for exporting Kinnow.

Which countries buy Pakistani Kinnow Top places that import Pakistani Kinnow

Pakistani Kinnow is sent to countries. If you want to find people to buy Pakistani Kinnow you should try to sell to these countries where people already like to buy Pakistani Kinnow.

Russia is a good place to sell Pakistani Kinnow
UAE also buys a lot of Pakistani Kinnow
Romania
Indonesia
Oman
Saudi Arabia
Philippines
Iraq
Mauritius
Kuwait
Malaysia
Maldives
Qatar
Sri Lanka
Canada

These countries really like to buy Pakistani Kinnow. So when you are looking for people to buy Pakistani Kinnow you should talk to the people who bring goods into these countries the people who sell lots of goods and the people who give goods to stores in these countries. This will help you find buyers, for Pakistani Kinnow faster.

Where to find Kinnow in Pakistan Best places to buy Kinnow

Kinnow is grown in all four parts of Pakistan. Some areas grow more Kinnow than others. These areas grow the Kinnow that can be sent to other countries.

Punjab is where the most Kinnow is grown

Sargodha District is important especially Bhalwal. Bhalwal is the place to find Kinnow.
Sahiwal
Lahore
Mianwali
Multan
Gujranwala

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also grows Kinnow

Mardan
Peshawar
Swat
Hazara Division

Sindh is another place where Kinnow is grown

Sukkur
Khairpur
Nawabshah

Balochistan also grows Kinnow

Makran
Sibi
Kachh

The best place to buy Kinnow is Bhalwal in Sargodha District. Most Kinnow that is sent to countries comes from Bhalwal. This place has everything needed to get Kinnow ready to sell. You can buy Kinnow from the people who grow it at a price. You can also get Kinnow cleaned and packed at this place.

You can do everything you need to do with Kinnow at this place. You can pack the Kinnow in boxes the way you want. Then you can load the Kinnow onto trucks to be taken away.

Most people who sell Kinnow load their trucks in Bhalwal. Then take them to Karachi to be put on a ship.

If you live in Karachi and cannot go to Bhalwal you can buy Kinnow at the New Vegetable Market, in Karachi. This market gets Kinnow every day from the places where it is grown.

Kinnow Packing Requirements for Export

Packing is really important for Kinnow that is being sent to countries. It has to be quality and the people buying it have to be happy. So here is how we pack Kinnow for countries:

Carton Sizes

5 kg cartons are used a lot
10 kg cartons are also used a lot
We can make cartons if the buyer wants them

Pieces Per Carton

48 pieces of Kinnow can fit in a carton if they are big
60 pieces can fit in a carton
80 pieces can fit in a carton
100 pieces can fit in a carton if the Kinnow is small

The number of Kinnow pieces that can fit in a carton depends on how big the Kinnow is. If the Kinnow is big fewer pieces can fit in a carton but each piece will be heavier. We should always try to make sure that the weight of the Kinnow is the same in each carton. In some places they like to have around 192 pieces of Kinnow in a carton.

Carton Design

The cartons have holes on the sides so that air can get in
This helps to keep the Kinnow fresh when it’s in a cold container

Reefer Container Requirements

Kinnow has to be sent in cold containers
The temperature in the container should be, between +4°C and +7°C
This temperature range helps to keep the Kinnow fresh during the trip. It does not get frozen or spoiled.

How Cartons Can You Put in One Container

You need to know how much a container can hold. This is important when you are working out costs and planning what to spend your money on.

Maximum Load Capacity: You can put up to 28 tons in a 40-foot container
Estimated Carton Count: You can fit around 2,200, to 2,600 cartons in a container depending on the size of the cartons
Always look at the CAC plate on the door of the container. It tells you the maximum weight you are allowed to put in it. You should never go over this weight when you are putting cartons in a container.

How Money Do I Need to Export One Kinnow Container

A lot of exporters ask me: How much investment do I need to start?

For exporting one 40-foot container of Kinnow you need least 500,000 Pakistani Rupees.

Here is what that money covers:

Buying Kinnow
Cleaning and waxing
Cartons and labor for packing
Loading into the container
Transport from Bhalwal to Karachi
Shipping costs
Fees for clearing agents
Other costs for exporting

The news is that you do not need to fill a whole container to export Kinnow. If you want to start small you can export 10 to 20 cartons. This is called LCL or Less, than Container Load shipping. With LCL you share the container with exporters. This way you do not need to invest a lot of money to start exporting Kinnow.

How to Set the Right Price for Exporting Kinnow

Getting the price of your product right is really important. If its too high buyers will not buy it. If its too low you will not make a profit.

Costs to Consider:

Material Cost: This is the cost of Kinnow you buy.
Processing Cost: This includes costs like waxing, cleaning, sorting and grading.
Packing Cost: This is the cost of cartons and packaging materials.
Labor Cost: This is the cost of labor for packing and loading the container.
Local Transportation: This is the cost of transporting Kinnow from Bhalwal or the sourcing location to Karachi.
Freight Charges: You need to get a quote from your shipping agent. For example it cost $1,500 to ship a 40-foot container from Karachi to Jebel Ali. This is about PKR 46,500 at exchange rates.
Clearing Agent Fees: Get a quote that includes all customs charges.
Your Profit Margin: Add a margin. Do not overprice compared to market rates. Kinnow export price is important.

Government Minimum Export Price

The government of Pakistan has set an export price for Kinnow. This is called the Valuation Ruling.

Minimum Export Price for Kinnow $410 per ton.

Your selling price should be at or, above this price. The actual market price will be higher. You can research export prices from other Pakistani exporters to find out. Kinnow export price should be competitive.

How to Find Buyers for Kinnow Export

Finding the buyer for Kinnow export is really important. Here is a simple approach:

Step 1: Set Up Your Business Foundation

Register your business. Proprietorship is a good option as it is easy and not costly
Build a professional website. A simple website with your Kinnow products, certifications and contact information helps buyers find you
Create profiles on B2B platforms. Platforms like Alibaba and TradeKey connect you with importers who buy Kinnow

Step 2: Target the Right Countries

Focus on countries where people already buy Kinnow from Pakistan. There are 15 countries listed earlier that you can target for Kinnow export.

Step 3: Study Trade Data

Buy or access trade data to know the prices of Kinnow competitors are offering and which importers are buying Kinnow from Pakistan. This helps you sell Kinnow at a price.

Step 4: Marketing and Outreach

Send Kinnow samples to buyers
Attend food trade fairs to showcase your Kinnow
Follow up with importers in your target markets who’re interested, in Kinnow export

Understanding Delivery Terms

When you are working with people who are buying from another country you have to come to an agreement on how things will be delivered. For people who export Kinnow there are a terms that are used a lot.

The first one is FOB, which means Free On Board.

You take the container to Karachi Port. Put it on the ship
Once the goods are on the ship that is the end of your responsibility
The person buying the Kinnow pays for the cost of getting it from Karachi to where they’re

Then there is CNF or CFR which means Cost and Freight.

You pay to get the Kinnow from Karachi to the port where the buyer’s
The buyer then takes care of getting the Kinnow through customs at their end
Most of the time when people export Kinnow they use CNF terms, around ninety percent of the time

There is also CIF, which means Cost, Insurance and Freight.

This is similar to CNF. You also pay for insurance to cover the Kinnow while it is on the ship
You pay for the freight and the insurance. The buyer takes care of getting the Kinnow through customs when it gets to their country

You should always make sure you understand what the delivery terms are before you finalize the deal, with the person who is buying the Kinnow.

Payment Terms for Kinnow Export

There are three payment methods used in Kinnow export:

1. Advance Payment

The buyer pays the amount before the shipment is sent.
This is the option for new exporters because it eliminates the risk of not getting paid.
It is less common with buyers who have a established relationship.

2. DP (Documents Against Payment)

After the goods are loaded you get the Bill of Lading, from the shipping agent.
You then submit the Bill of Lading and other documents to your bank.
The buyer pays when they receive the documents through their bank.
You then release the Bill of Lading to the buyer so they can clear customs.

3. LC (Letter of Credit)

The buyers bank holds funds to the contract value.
When the LC arrives at your bank you start processing the shipment.
You get paid after submitting shipping documents that match the LC terms.
This is the secure payment method but it requires more paperwork.

So you want to know how to book a Reefer Container

Once you have a confirmed order this is what you have to do to book your refrigerated container.

First you need to get in touch with your freight forwarder or shipping agent.
You have to give them some details.

These are the things you need to tell them:

The equipment you need is a 40-foot Reefer Container
The temperature should be between +4°C to +7°C
The Destination Port is the one that your buyer has specified
You have to give them an idea of how cargo you will have for example 26–28 metric tons
You also need to tell them where you want to pick up the container. If you are loading from Bhalwal it is better to get it from Lahore because it is cheaper than getting it from Karachi and this is because containers that are returning empty from Lahore will save you money on transportation.
The shipping agent will then give you some options, for freight rates from shipping lines.
You choose the rate that you like. They will give you a Container Release, also known as a Booking Confirmation in a PDF file.
You then give this to your clearing agent. They will take care of getting the Reefer Container sent out.

Step-by-Step Kinnow Export Process from Pakistan

Here is the Kinnow export process from start to finish.

Step 1: Register Your Kinnow Business

You need to register your Kinnow business as a proprietorship or company with the relevant authority in Pakistan. This is necessary for all Kinnow export activities from Pakistan.

Step 2: Find a Kinnow Buyer and Finalize the Kinnow Deal

To export Kinnow from Pakistan you have to find a Kinnow buyer through B2B platforms or trade fairs or referrals.
You need to agree on the CNF price and the payment terms and the delivery terms for the Kinnow export from Pakistan.
Then you need to sign an export contract for the Kinnow.

Step 3: Arrange Payment or Letter of Credit for the Kinnow Export

If you are getting payment for the Kinnow you need to wait for the transfer and then begin the Kinnow export process from Pakistan.
If it is a DP you can proceed after signing the contract for the Kinnow and collect the payment at document submission for the Kinnow export.
If it is a Letter of Credit for the Kinnow you need to visit your banks trade department to generate a Financial Instrument for the Kinnow export. Once the Letter of Credit for the Kinnow is received you can begin the Kinnow export operations.

Step 4: Source and Process the Kinnow from Pakistan

You need to purchase the Kinnow from Bhalwal or your preferred sourcing location for the Kinnow export from Pakistan.
Then you need to complete the waxing and the cleaning and the sorting and the grading of the Kinnow.
After that you need to pack the Kinnow in cartons as per the buyer specification for the Kinnow export from Pakistan.

Step 5: Book the Container and Transportation for the Kinnow

You need to contact your shipping agent to book a 40-foot Reefer container for the Kinnow export from Pakistan.
Then you need to arrange road transportation from Bhalwal to Karachi or wherever the loading takes place for the Kinnow export.
You need to discuss the vessel schedule with the clearing agent to ensure delivery of the Kinnow.

Step 6: Load the Container with the Kinnow

You need to load the packed cartons of the Kinnow into the reefer container for the Kinnow export from Pakistan.
You need to maintain the temperature settings at +4°C to +7°C for the Kinnow export.
You should not exceed the containers weight limit of 28 metric tons for the Kinnow export.

Step 7: Customs Clearance for the Kinnow Export

Your clearing agent will handle all the customs documentation and formalities at Karachi Port for the Kinnow export from Pakistan.
They will coordinate the submission of all the documents for the Kinnow export.

Step 8: Submit Export Documents to Bank for the Kinnow Export

You need to submit the shipping documents to your bank for the Kinnow export from Pakistan.
The bank will release the payment per the agreed terms for the Kinnow export, from Pakistan.

To export Kinnow from Pakistan you need to have some documents

The documents you need to export Kinnow are the following:

Commercial Invoice
Packing List
Bill of Lading this is also known as the BL Copy
Phytosanitary Certificate this certificate is really important because it shows that the Kinnow is free of pests and diseases the people who issue this certificate are, from the agriculture authority
Certificate of Origin this proves that the Kinnow comes from Pakistan
Any other certificates that the country you are exporting Kinnow to requires

Your clearing agent is the person who will help you get all these documents for Kinnow.

The buyer will use these documents for Kinnow when they get to the destination port they need these documents to clear the Kinnow through customs.

Key Service Providers You Need

1. Freight Forwarder or Shipping Agent

They take care of sea freight bookings for you.
They connect you with shipping lines.
Freight Forwarders provide you with freight quotes and vessel schedules.
They also handle air freight if you need it.

2. Customs Clearing Agent

Customs Clearing Agents handle all the customs paperwork at ports.
They help you with certificates, like Certificate of Origin and Phytosanitary certificates.
They make sure your containers are dispatched from the port on time.

Tip: You should get quotes from Freight Forwarders and Customs Clearing Agents.

Compare the rates carefully before you make a decision on which Freight Forwarders and Customs Clearing Agents to use.

Kinnow Export at a Glance

Detail	Information
Product	Kinnow (Pakistani Hybrid Citrus)
HS Code	0805 21 910
Export Season	December onwards (government notified)
Top Markets	Russia, UAE, Romania, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia
Best Sourcing Location	Bhalwal, District Sargodha
Container Type	40-foot Reefer (Refrigerated)
Temperature	+4°C to +7°C
Max Load	28 Metric Tons
Min Investment	PKR 5 Lakh per container
Min Export Price	USD 410 per metric ton (govt. valuation ruling)
Common Incoterm	CNF (used in ~90% of deals)
Payment Methods	Advance, DP, or LC
Required Documents	Invoice, Packing List, BL, Phyto, COO, FI

Final Thoughts

Exporting Kinnow from Pakistan is a business. People in countries want to buy Kinnow. We have a time to export Kinnow and the places where Kinnow is grown have good systems to help us export. So even if you are new to exporting you can do it if you get ready.

The things you need to do are easy. First you need to make your business official. Then you need to make a name for your business on the internet. After that you need to find people in countries who want to buy Kinnow. You need to find good quality Kinnow to sell. You also need to arrange for people to help you get the Kinnow to the people who bought it.. You need to do all the paperwork correctly.

If you want to know more, about exporting Kinnow you can ask us. Leave a message. Start exporting Kinnow today. Pakistans best citrus fruit is ready to be sent to countries.