Scampi (Macrobachium spp. )

Scampi and other freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium spp.)

FSSAI CLEARANCE · AQCS CLEARANCE

HSN 0306 36 10 (Scampi, Macrobrachium spp.) is subject to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Import Licence and mandatory foreign-manufacturer registration under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Animal Quarantine and Certification Services (AQCS) Sanitary Import Permit clearance applies as a concurrent overlay, and consignments are restricted to 79 designated food-import ports effective 1 March 2023.

What this is

HSN code

0306 36 10

Chapter

03 · Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

Primary regulator

FSSAI · Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (high-risk food regime)

Customs documentation

Import Licence from FSSAI
Sanitary Import Permit from AQCS
Health Certificate from AQCS

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

FSSAIFSSAI·Food Safety and Standards Authority of India

AQCSAQCS·Animal Quarantine and Certification Services

Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs.

Compliance steps

1
Confirm the foreign manufacturing facility is registered with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India under the mandatory high-risk-food regime covering fish and their products. The FSSAI Import Licence must be current and uploaded in e-Sanchit before the bill of entry is filed.
CBIC Instruction 30/2022-Cus dated 14-11-2022 · FSSAI order dated 10-10-2022
2
Obtain the AQCS Sanitary Import Permit (document code 911DF1) prior to consignment dispatch. Quote the e-Sanchit IRN of the Sanitary Import Permit on the bill of entry — this IRN is required to obtain the AQCS NOC for CTIs listed in Annexure A (Sl. No. 3) of CBIC Circular 24/2022-Cus.
CBIC Circular 24/2022-Cus dated 28-11-2022 · CBIC Instruction 09/2023-Cus dated 07-03-2023
3
Route the consignment exclusively through one of the 79 designated food-import ports per General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of the ITC (HS) 2022, effective 1 March 2023. Ensure the Specimen Copy of Label is uploaded in e-Sanchit and complies with the FSSAI rectifiable-labelling regime before out-of-charge.
CBIC Instruction 05/2023-Cus dated 08-02-2023 · CBIC Instruction 10/2022-Cus dated 28-06-2022 · FSSAI Letter 1828/Misc Matters/FSSAI/Imports-2021 dated 17-06-2022

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is treating FSSAI clearance as the sole gate and overlooking the AQCS Sanitary Import Permit — a distinct animal-quarantine overlay that is independent of the food-safety licence. A consignment with a current FSSAI Import Licence but no AQCS NOC will be detained at the designated port; the IRN of the Sanitary Import Permit (document code 911DF1) must be quoted on the bill of entry, not merely uploaded in e-Sanchit.

Need a regulatory steer on this product?

Speak to a regulatory counsel about your specific HSN, IS, and supplier situation.

Speak to an Expert

Frequently asked

Does HSN 0306 36 10 require BIS certification?

No, Scampi (Macrobrachium spp.) falls outside the BIS Quality Control Order regime; no BIS QCO covers crustaceans. Import is governed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, with a concurrent Animal Quarantine and Certification Services Sanitary Import Permit and the 79-designated-port restriction.

Is the foreign-manufacturer registration with FSSAI mandatory for Scampi imports?

Yes. Per CBIC Instruction 30/2022-Cus and the FSSAI order dated 10 October 2022, the exporting facility must be registered with FSSAI under the high-risk-food scheme covering fish and their products before the import is permitted.

What happens if the consignment arrives at a non-designated port?

Arrival at a port not listed in the CBIC Instruction 05/2023-Cus Annexure constitutes a breach of General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of the ITC (HS) 2022, rendering the consignment liable to detention and possible re-export or confiscation under the Customs Act, 1962.

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