Fescue seeds

Fescue seeds for sowing

PPQS CLEARANCE

HSN 1209 23 00 (Fescue 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 entry is conditional on a valid PPQS import permit and a Phytosanitary Certificate uploaded in e-Sanchit.

What this is

HSN code

1209 23 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
ITC (HS) policy compliance from DGFT

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 before shipment. Entry of fescue seeds without a current PPQS import permit is not permitted under the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003, irrespective of the Free ITC (HS) policy classification.
Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003 · ITC (HS) import policy condition, Chapter 12
2
Ensure the Phytosanitary Certificate (document code 851000) issued by the competent authority of the exporting country is uploaded in e-Sanchit before filing the bill of entry. The proper officer will verify this upload prior to granting out-of-charge.
Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003 · e-Sanchit document code 851000

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is assuming that the Free ITC (HS) classification eliminates the need for a PPQS import permit. The Free status governs only the licensing condition under DGFT policy; the Plant Quarantine Order independently mandates a permit for all seed imports regardless of trade-policy category. Consignments arriving without a current PPQS import permit face detention and potential re-export, not a rectifiable documentary deficiency.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 1209 23 00 require BIS certification?

No, no BIS Quality Control Order covers fescue or other sowing seeds. Import is governed by Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage under the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003, with the ITC (HS) Free-import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

Is the Phytosanitary Certificate mandatory even when the consignment has a valid PPQS import permit?

Yes. The Phytosanitary Certificate (document code 851000) is a separate and concurrent requirement from the PPQS import permit; both must be uploaded in e-Sanchit before customs out-of-charge is granted.

Does the Free ITC (HS) classification mean fescue seeds can be imported without any authorisation?

No. Free status means no DGFT import licence is required, but the PPQS import permit under the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003 remains mandatory; import without that permit is not permitted under the ITC (HS) policy condition.

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