Other

Live fish other than ornamental or specified species

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 0301 99 00 (Other live fish) is subject to the ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), permitting import only when all applicable policy conditions are satisfied. A Health Certificate is mandatory at the bill of entry and must be uploaded in e-Sanchit before customs out-of-charge.

What this is

HSN code

0301 99 00

Chapter

03 · Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) Restricted import policy, Chapter 03

Customs documentation

Health Certificate from exporting authority
ITC (HS) policy compliance from DGFT

Compliance steps

1
Confirm the consignment qualifies under the applicable ITC (HS) policy conditions for Restricted-import live fish before placing the purchase order. The Restricted status means import is not freely permitted; each consignment must satisfy the operative policy conditions prescribed under Chapter 03 of the ITC (HS) 2022.
ITC (HS) Import Policy, Chapter 03 · DGFT
2
Ensure the Health Certificate (document code 6360AQ) issued by the competent authority of the exporting country is uploaded in e-Sanchit before filing the bill of entry. The customs proper officer will verify the 6360AQ upload and will not grant out-of-charge until the document is present in the system.
ITC (HS) Import Policy, Chapter 03 · e-Sanchit document code 6360AQ

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is treating the Health Certificate as a secondary formality rather than a gateway document: customs systems flag the bill of entry for PGA facilitation when the 6360AQ is absent, and out-of-charge is withheld until the document is uploaded — generating detention, demurrage, and ground rent that cannot be reversed retroactively. Because live fish are time-sensitive cargo, a missing Health Certificate at filing can result in consignment loss rather than merely delayed clearance.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 0301 99 00 require BIS certification?

No, live fish are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, with a mandatory Health Certificate (document code 6360AQ) required at the bill of entry.

What document code must be uploaded in e-Sanchit for this tariff line?

The Health Certificate under document code 6360AQ must be uploaded in e-Sanchit before the bill of entry is processed; customs out-of-charge will not be granted until this upload is confirmed.

Does the Restricted-import status mean a DGFT licence is required for every shipment?

Restricted status under the ITC (HS) policy means import is not freely permitted and must comply with the applicable policy conditions for Chapter 03; importers should confirm the current operative conditions with DGFT before each shipment.

Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-16. Source: DGFT / Indian Customs CUSDATA.