Rye grass (Lolium multiflorum Lam., Lolium perenne L.) seeds

Rye grass seeds for sowing (Lolium multiflorum, Lolium perenne)

PPQS CLEARANCE

HSN 1209 25 00 (Rye grass seeds) is subject to Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage (PPQS) import-permit clearance under the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003. Although the ITC (HS) policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) classifies this tariff line as Free, import is permitted only in accordance with the PPQS import permit.

What this is

HSN code

1209 25 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 exporting country
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 under the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003 before shipment. No consignment of rye grass seeds may be cleared at the bill-of-entry stage without this permit, regardless of the Free ITC (HS) policy status.
Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003 · ITC (HS) import policy, Chapter 12
2
Ensure the Phytosanitary Certificate issued by the National Plant Protection Organisation of the exporting country (document code 851000) is uploaded in e-Sanchit before the bill of entry is filed. 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) policy status dispenses with the PPQS import permit. The policy-condition requirement — import only in accordance with the Plant Quarantine Order, 2003 — is independent of the duty and restriction status; a consignment arriving without a current PPQS import permit will be detained at the port of entry and may be liable to destruction or re-export if plant-health grounds are established.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 1209 25 00 require BIS certification?

No, rye grass seeds are not within 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 the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade requiring a valid import permit.

Is a Phytosanitary Certificate mandatory even when a PPQS import permit has been obtained?

Yes. The Phytosanitary Certificate (document code 851000) issued by the exporting country's National Plant Protection Organisation must be uploaded in e-Sanchit independently of the PPQS import permit; both documents are verified by the proper officer before out-of-charge is granted.

Does the Free ITC (HS) policy status mean rye grass seeds can be imported without any restriction?

No. The Free classification governs duty and quantitative restriction only; import remains conditional on compliance with the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003, and a valid PPQS import permit is required for every consignment.

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