Fresh, chilled or frozen

Fresh, chilled or frozen edible insects

DGFT CLEARANCE · CBIC CLEARANCE

HSN 0410 10 10 (Fresh, chilled or frozen insects) is governed by the Restricted-import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the ITC (HS) Schedule, with food-import entry-point compliance required under General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of ITC (HS) 2022. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) Instruction 29/2023-Cus dated 12-12-2023 and the Ministry of Fisheries OM dated 17-07-2023 apply as additional clearance overlays.

What this is

HSN code

0410 10 10

Chapter

04 · Dairy produce; birds' eggs; natural honey; edible products of animal origin

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) Restricted import policy, Chapter 04

Customs documentation

Import Licence from DGFT
Entry-point declaration to CBIC
Ministry of Fisheries compliance from CBIC

Compliance steps

1
Confirm that the import is permitted under the applicable ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy condition before placing the purchase order. The tariff line is Restricted and no free-import route exists absent a specific policy condition or licence issued by DGFT.
ITC (HS) 2022 Schedule I, Chapter 04 Restricted import policy
2
Route the consignment only through a designated food-import entry point and confirm compliance with General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of the ITC (HS) 2022. Present the consignment at a notified port; arrival at an undesignated port attracts detention pending re-routing or confiscation.
General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of ITC (HS) 2022 · CBIC Instruction 29/2023-Cus dated 12-12-2023

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is filing the bill of entry at a general-cargo port rather than a designated food-import entry point, on the assumption that the Restricted classification is the only compliance gateway. General Note 4(D) of ITC (HS) 2022 and CBIC Instruction 29/2023-Cus impose an independent port-of-entry obligation; non-compliance at the port stage results in detention and demurrage irrespective of whether a DGFT licence is held.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 0410 10 10 require BIS certification?

No, edible insects in fresh, chilled or frozen form are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is instead governed by the ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, with food-import entry-point compliance required under General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of ITC (HS) 2022.

Which entry points are permitted for this consignment under General Note 4(D)?

Consignments must arrive at designated food-import entry points notified under General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of ITC (HS) 2022; the operative list should be confirmed against the current CBIC Instruction 29/2023-Cus dated 12-12-2023 before vessel booking.

What is the role of the Ministry of Fisheries OM dated 17-07-2023 for this HSN?

The Ministry of Fisheries OM dated 17-07-2023, referenced alongside CBIC Instruction 29/2023-Cus, sets out compliance requirements for edible insect imports as an animal-origin food product; customs officers are directed to verify adherence to both instruments before granting out-of-charge.

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