Mixtures referred to in Note 1(b) to this Chapter

Mixed spices falling under Chapter 9 Note 1(b)

FSSAI CLEARANCE

HSN 0910 91 00 (mixed spices within the scope of Chapter 9 Note 1(b)) is subject to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Import Licence and labelling compliance under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, with a minimum 25% value-addition condition imposed under the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). Import is permitted only through designated food-import entry points under General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of the ITC (HS) 2022, and spices in this category are explicitly ineligible for import under Duty Free Import Authorisation.

What this is

HSN code

0910 91 00

Chapter

09 · Coffee, tea, mate and spices

Primary regulator

FSSAI · Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006

Customs documentation

Import Licence from FSSAI
Food grade certificate from FSSAI
Phytosanitary Certificate from exporter

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

FSSAIFSSAI·Food Safety and Standards Authority of India

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

Compliance steps

1
Obtain a valid FSSAI Import Licence before filing the bill of entry. Upload the FSSAI Import Licence (document code 911001), a specimen copy of the label (document code 0110FS), a food grade certificate (document code 6570FS), and Phytosanitary Certificates (document code 851000) in e-Sanchit prior to customs out-of-charge.
FSSAI Import Licence requirement; CBIC Instruction 09/2023-Cus dated 07-03-2023 in modification to Instruction 10/2022-Cus dated 28-06-2022
2
Ensure the consignment satisfies the minimum 25% value-addition condition under Chapter 9 ITC (HS) import policy before filing the bill of entry. Route the consignment exclusively through one of the designated food-import entry points as mandated by General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of the ITC (HS) 2022.
DGFT Public Notice 08/2024-25 dated 03-06-2024; General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of the ITC (HS) 2022
3
Note that all spices, including mixed spices under this CTI, fall under Appendix 4J and are subject to a pre-import condition, rendering them ineligible for import under Duty Free Import Authorisation (DFIA) under any circumstances irrespective of intended end use. Labelling deficiencies may be rectified at port only within the scope of the FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, using a non-detachable sticker affixed before visual inspection by the authorised FSSAI officer.
DGFT Policy Circular 05/2025 dated 22-09-2025; CBIC Instruction 10/2022-Cus dated 28-06-2022; FSSAI clarification order dated 18-11-2022

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is assuming that a DFIA or advance-authorisation instrument covers the import of mixed spices. DGFT Policy Circular 05/2025 dated 22-09-2025 explicitly closes this route: all spices fall under Appendix 4J with a pre-import condition, and import under DFIA is impermissible irrespective of end use. An attempted import on the strength of a DFIA results in detention, confiscation risk, and retrospective duty recovery — with no rectification pathway available after the bill of entry is filed.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 0910 91 00 require BIS certification?

No. Mixed spices under Chapter 9 Note 1(b) are not subject to any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, with DGFT value-addition and designated-port conditions as concurrent overlays.

Which document codes must be uploaded in e-Sanchit for this tariff line?

The mandatory uploads are: FSSAI Import Licence (911001), specimen copy of label (0110FS), food grade certificate (6570FS), and Phytosanitary Certificates (851000) — all must be present before customs out-of-charge, per CBIC Instruction 09/2023-Cus dated 07-03-2023.

Can mixed spices under this HSN be imported under a Duty Free Import Authorisation?

No. DGFT Policy Circular 05/2025 dated 22-09-2025 confirms that all spices fall under Appendix 4J and carry a pre-import condition, making import under DFIA impermissible under any circumstances regardless of intended end use.

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