Of Cauliflower

Cauliflower seeds for sowing

PPQS CLEARANCE

HSN 1209 91 20 (Of Cauliflower) 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 a valid PPQS import permit and Phytosanitary Certificate at the bill-of-entry stage.

What this is

HSN code

1209 91 20

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 before shipment of the cauliflower seeds. Import is permitted only in accordance with the permit granted under the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003, and consignments arriving without a permit are liable to detention or re-export.
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 before filing the bill of entry. The proper officer will verify its presence prior to granting out-of-charge.
Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003 · document code 851000 · e-Sanchit OOC verification requirement

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is assuming that the Free ITC (HS) import status removes the phytosanitary gate. Import of cauliflower seeds remains conditioned on a valid PPQS import permit regardless of the Free-import classification; a consignment reaching the port without a current permit faces detention and potential re-export, because the permit cannot be regularised retrospectively after arrival.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 1209 91 20 require BIS certification?

No, cauliflower seeds for sowing are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage under the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003, with a Phytosanitary Certificate required at the bill of entry.

Is the Phytosanitary Certificate mandatory even when the PPQS import permit is already in hand?

Yes. Both documents are independently required: the import permit authorises the importation, while the Phytosanitary Certificate (document code 851000) must be uploaded in e-Sanchit and verified by the proper officer before out-of-charge is granted.

Does the Free import status under ITC (HS) mean cauliflower seeds can be imported without any restriction?

No. Free status indicates no licence is needed under the ITC (HS) policy, but import remains subject to the PPQS import permit condition under the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003; the two frameworks operate independently.

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