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HomeHSNChapter 05HSN 0505 90 31

Of wild birds

Wild bird skins, feathers, down and related parts

WCCB CLEARANCE

HSN 0505 90 31 (Of wild birds) is subject to Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) clearance under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, with import of items under this tariff line prohibited under the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). Where import is permitted through a CITES clearance, a CITES certificate and a health certificate must be uploaded in e-Sanchit before out-of-charge.

What this is
HSN code
0505 90 31
Chapter
05 · Products of animal origin, not elsewhere specified
Primary regulator
WCCB · Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (CITES clearance regime)
Customs documentation
  • CITES certificate from WCCB
  • Health Certificate from AQCS
  • ITC (HS) prohibition compliance from DGFT
Applicable Partner Government Agencies
WCCBWCCB·Wildlife Crime Control Bureau

Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

Compliance steps
  1. 1
    Verify that the import is not prohibited under the ITC (HS) import policy before placing the purchase order. The general import policy for this CTI is Prohibited; any importation without a valid CITES certificate and WCCB authorisation constitutes an unlawful import and is liable to seizure and confiscation.
    ITC (HS) import policy — Prohibited category; WCCB · Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
  2. 2
    Upload the CITES certificate (document code 626000) and the health certificate (document code 6360AQ) in e-Sanchit before filing the bill of entry. The proper officer must verify both documents are present prior to granting out-of-charge; PGA-facilitated bills not routed through WCCB for NOC are subject to mandatory document verification.
    CCR mandatory document requirement — document codes 626000 and 6360AQ; e-Sanchit upload obligation
A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is assuming that possession of a CITES certificate alone is sufficient to secure clearance. Import of feathers, skins, or parts of wild birds remains Prohibited under the ITC (HS) policy; the CITES certificate is a necessary but not standalone condition, and consignments arriving without both the CITES certificate and the health certificate uploaded in e-Sanchit will be detained pending WCCB NOC, with demurrage and ground rent accruing from the date of arrival.

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Frequently asked
Does HSN 0505 90 31 require BIS certification?
No, wild bird feathers, skins and related parts are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, with the tariff line classified as Prohibited under the ITC (HS) import policy administered by DGFT.
What document codes must be uploaded in e-Sanchit for this tariff line?
The CITES certificate (document code 626000) and the health certificate (document code 6360AQ) must both be uploaded in e-Sanchit before the customs proper officer grants out-of-charge.
Does the hazardous waste rule apply to feather waste under this tariff line?
Yes, where the imported material constitutes waste, import is additionally subject to compliance with Para 8(b) of the General Notes regarding import policy of the ITC (HS) and Rules 12 and 13 of the Hazardous Waste (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016.
Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-16. Source: WCCB / DGFT / Indian Customs CUSDATA.
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