Other

Edible insects (other than specified), animal origin

DGFT CLEARANCE · CBIC CLEARANCE

HSN 0410 10 90 (edible insects, residual) is subject to Restricted-import status under the ITC (HS) policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), with import permitted only through designated food-import entry points under General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of the ITC (HS) 2022. Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) Instruction 29/2023-Cus dated 12-12-2023 and the Ministry of Fisheries O.M. dated 17-07-2023 apply as concurrent customs-level overlays.

What this is

HSN code

0410 10 90

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

Restricted-import compliance from DGFT
Food entry-point declaration to CBIC
Ministry of Fisheries clearance per CBIC

Compliance steps

1
Confirm that the import of edible insects under this residual CTI is permitted under the ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy for Chapter 04 before placing the purchase order. A Restricted status means import requires prior policy authorisation from DGFT; absent authorisation, the consignment is liable to detention and re-export.
ITC (HS) Import Policy, Chapter 04 · DGFT policy
2
Route the consignment exclusively through a designated food-import entry point listed under General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of the ITC (HS) 2022. Arrival at a non-designated port renders the consignment non-compliant at the bill-of-entry stage regardless of any other clearances held.
General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of the ITC (HS) 2022 · CBIC Instruction 29/2023-Cus dated 12-12-2023

A word of counsel

The most common error on this residual insect CTI is assuming that compliance with the designated food-entry-point requirement alone satisfies the import framework. The Restricted-import status under ITC (HS) Chapter 04 is a separate, prior-stage condition: a consignment arriving at a designated port without valid DGFT policy authorisation is detained and subject to re-export irrespective of port compliance. The O.M. dated 17-07-2023 issued by the Ministry of Fisheries adds a further sectoral overlay that must be verified against the specific insect species being imported.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 0410 10 90 require BIS certification?

No. No BIS Quality Control Order covers edible insects under this tariff line. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, with designated food-entry-point requirements under General Note 4(D) of the ITC (HS) 2022 and customs-level overlays under CBIC Instruction 29/2023-Cus.

What does CBIC Instruction 29/2023-Cus dated 12-12-2023 require at the bill of entry?

The Instruction, read with the Ministry of Fisheries O.M. dated 17-07-2023, prescribes compliance measures for imports of this product category; the proper officer is required to verify compliance with both instruments before granting out-of-charge.

Does the Restricted-import status mean edible insects cannot be imported at all?

No, Restricted status means import is permissible subject to conditions — specifically DGFT policy authorisation and designated food-entry-point routing — rather than being prohibited; failure to satisfy either condition exposes the consignment to detention, re-export, or confiscation.

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