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Of Radish

Radish seeds for sowing (vegetable seeds)

PPQS CLEARANCE

HSN 1209 91 50 (Radish seeds for sowing) is subject to Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage (PPQS) import permit requirements under the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003. The tariff line is classified as Free under the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), but import is permitted only in accordance with the PPQS-issued plant quarantine import permit.

What this is
HSN code
1209 91 50
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 exporter
  • NOC 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. 1
    Obtain a plant quarantine import permit from Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage before the consignment is dispatched. The permit is the operative authorisation under the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003, and must be in force at the time the bill of entry is filed.
    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 proper officer must verify this upload before granting out-of-charge where the bill has not been routed through PPQS for NOC.
    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 treating the 'Free' ITC (HS) policy classification as unconditional open-door access and shipping without a valid PPQS import permit. 'Free' here means no quantity restriction or licence fee under DGFT trade policy — it does not override the plant quarantine permit requirement under the Plant Quarantine Order, 2003. Consignments arriving without a current permit and a corresponding Phytosanitary Certificate are detained at the port of entry pending PPQS clearance, attracting demurrage and potential re-export.

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Frequently asked
Does HSN 1209 91 50 require BIS certification?
No, radish 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 the ITC (HS) policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.
Is the Phytosanitary Certificate required even when the PPQS import permit has been obtained?
Yes. The Phytosanitary Certificate (document code 851000) must be uploaded in e-Sanchit independently of the import permit, and the proper officer verifies both before granting out-of-charge at the bill of entry stage.
Does the 'Free' import policy classification mean no permit is needed?
No. 'Free' under the ITC (HS) policy indicates no quantity restriction or DGFT licence requirement, but import remains conditional on a valid PPQS import permit under the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003.
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: