Clover (Trifolium spp.) seeds

Clover seeds for sowing (Trifolium spp.)

PPQS CLEARANCE

HSN 1209 22 00 (Clover seeds) is subject to Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage (PPQS) import-permit requirements under the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003. Import is classified as Free under the ITC (HS) policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), but remains conditional on the PPQS import permit and a Phytosanitary Certificate uploaded in e-Sanchit before out-of-charge.

What this is

HSN code

1209 22 00

Chapter

12 · Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruit; industrial or medicinal plants

Primary regulator

PPQS · Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003

Customs documentation

Import permit from PPQS
Phytosanitary Certificate from PPQS

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

PPQSPPQS·Plant Quarantine and Phytosanitary regime

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

Compliance steps

1
Obtain a valid import permit from Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage under the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003 before the consignment is dispatched. The permit defines the conditions of import and must accompany the bill of entry.
Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003 · ITC (HS) import policy, Chapter 12
2
Ensure the Phytosanitary Certificate (document code 851000) issued by the competent authority of the exporting country is uploaded in e-Sanchit prior to filing the bill of entry. The proper officer is required to verify this upload before granting out-of-charge on PGA-facilitated bills.
Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003 · document code 851000

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is assuming that the Free import status under the ITC (HS) policy dispenses with the PPQS import permit. Free status governs the trade-policy classification only; the phytosanitary permit under the Plant Quarantine Order, 2003 is a mandatory pre-import requirement independent of the tariff classification, and a consignment arriving without it will be detained pending quarantine inspection or ordered for re-export.

Need a regulatory steer on this product?

Speak to a regulatory counsel about your specific HSN, IS, and supplier situation.

Speak to an Expert

Frequently asked

Does HSN 1209 22 00 require BIS certification?

No, clover seeds for sowing fall outside the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage under the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003, with a mandatory import permit and Phytosanitary Certificate required at the bill-of-entry stage.

Is the Phytosanitary Certificate upload in e-Sanchit mandatory even when the bill is PGA-facilitated?

Yes. The Phytosanitary Certificate (document code 851000) must be uploaded in e-Sanchit before the proper officer grants out-of-charge, regardless of whether the bill has been routed through the PGA for NOC.

Does the Free import classification under ITC (HS) mean no permit is needed?

No. Free import status means no separate DGFT licence is required, but import remains conditional on the PPQS import permit granted under the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003; consignments without a valid permit are liable to detention or re-export.

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