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Of Onion

Onion seeds for sowing, vegetable planting seeds

PPQS CLEARANCE

HSN 1209 91 30 (Of Onion) 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 otherwise free under the ITC (HS) policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), provided the PPQS import permit is obtained before consignment dispatch.

What this is
HSN code
1209 91 30
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 declaration to 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. 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 shipped. Import of onion seeds without this permit is not permitted regardless of the free-import status under the ITC (HS) policy.
    Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003 · ITC (HS) import policy, Chapter 12
  2. 2
    Ensure the Phytosanitary Certificate (document code 851000) issued by the competent authority of the exporting country is uploaded in e-Sanchit before the bill of entry is filed. The customs 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 frequent error on this tariff line is conflating the free-import status under the ITC (HS) policy with an absence of pre-shipment controls. 'Free' here means no DGFT licence is required — it does not waive the PPQS import permit, which is a mandatory phytosanitary gate. Consignments arriving without a current PPQS permit are detained at the port of entry pending inspection, and prolonged detention of perishable seed lots results in demurrage, ground rent, and potential confiscation if phytosanitary compliance cannot be established.

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Frequently asked
Does HSN 1209 91 30 require BIS certification?
No, no BIS Quality Control Order covers vegetable seeds for sowing. 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 a separate DGFT import licence required in addition to the PPQS permit?
No. The ITC (HS) policy classifies onion seeds as 'Free' for import purposes, meaning no DGFT import licence is required; the mandatory pre-condition is solely the PPQS import permit under the Plant Quarantine Order, 2003.
What happens if the Phytosanitary Certificate is missing or defective at port?
The consignment cannot receive out-of-charge from customs; the proper officer withholds clearance until document code 851000 is uploaded in e-Sanchit, and seed lots held at port risk detention, demurrage, and viability loss pending resolution.
Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-16. Source: PPQS / DGFT / Indian Customs CUSDATA.
Related
ChapterChapter 12 · Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruit; industrial or medicinal plantsHSNSEEDS, FRUIT AND SPORES, OF A KIND USED FOR SOWINGHSNVegetable seeds: