Fenugreek

Fenugreek and other spices (dried, whole or ground)

FSSAI CLEARANCE

HSN 0910 99 12 (Fenugreek) is subject to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Import Licence requirements under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, with consignments permitted only through designated food-import entry points under General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of the ITC (HS) 2022. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) imposes a minimum 25% value-addition condition under the Chapter 9 ITC (HS) policy, and spices — including fenugreek — are listed under Appendix 4J, making import under Duty Free Import Authorisation impermissible in all circumstances.

What this is

HSN code

0910 99 12

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 current FSSAI Import Licence and ensure the mandatory documents — Specimen Copy of Label (document code 0110FS), Food Grade Certificate (document code 6570FS), Phytosanitary Certificate (document code 851000), and FSSAI Import Licence (document code 911001) — are uploaded in e-Sanchit before filing the bill of entry. Out-of-charge will not be granted until all four documents are verified in e-Sanchit.
CBIC Instruction 09/2023-Cus dated 07-03-2023 · FSSAI order dated 18-11-2022 · CBIC Instruction 10/2022-Cus dated 28-06-2022
2
Confirm the consignment satisfies the minimum 25% value-addition condition mandated under the Chapter 9 ITC (HS) policy. Route the consignment through a designated food-import entry point in compliance with General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of the ITC (HS) 2022; import through a non-designated port renders the consignment liable to detention.
DGFT Public Notice 08/2024-25 dated 03-06-2024 · General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of the ITC (HS) 2022
3
Do not seek to import fenugreek under a Duty Free Import Authorisation (DFIA) scheme. All spices fall under Appendix 4J and are subject to a pre-import condition; DGFT Policy Circular 05/2025 confirms their import is not permissible under DFIA irrespective of intended end use.
DGFT Policy Circular 05/2025 dated 22-09-2025

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is attempting to utilise a Duty Free Import Authorisation to source fenugreek — a practice that DGFT Policy Circular 05/2025 has closed categorically, stating that all spices under Appendix 4J carry a pre-import condition that renders DFIA unavailable regardless of the importer's end-use intent. A bill of entry filed under DFIA for any spice will attract denial of out-of-charge, confiscation proceedings, and potential DGFT-licence action; the 25% value-addition condition under the Chapter 9 ITC (HS) policy is an independent and concurrent obligation that must also be satisfied.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 0910 99 12 require BIS certification?

No, fenugreek and spices under Chapter 9 are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, with a concurrent DGFT minimum value-addition condition and designated-port restriction.

Which documents must be uploaded in e-Sanchit before out-of-charge for fenugreek imports?

Four documents are mandatory: Specimen Copy of Label (0110FS), Food Grade Certificate (6570FS), Phytosanitary Certificate (851000), and FSSAI Import Licence (911001); all must be uploaded in e-Sanchit prior to out-of-charge per CBIC Instruction 09/2023-Cus.

Can labelling deficiencies be rectified at the port of import for fenugreek consignments?

Yes, limited rectifiable labelling deficiencies — including per-serve dietary contribution data and expiry date where provided by the manufacturer — may be corrected at customs-bonded warehouses before inspection, by affixing a single non-detachable sticker, per CBIC Instruction 10/2022-Cus and the FSSAI clarification order dated 18-11-2022.

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