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HomeHSNChapter 12HSN 1209 91 90

Other

Vegetable seeds for sowing, other varieties

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 1209 91 90 (Other vegetable seeds for sowing) is classified as Free for import under the ITC (HS) policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), subject to policy condition no. 4 of Chapter 12. A Phyto Sanitary Certificate is mandatory at the bill-of-entry stage and must be uploaded in e-Sanchit before customs out-of-charge is granted.

What this is
HSN code
1209 91 90
Chapter
12 · Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruit; industrial or medicinal plants
Primary regulator
DGFT · ITC (HS) Free import policy with policy condition no. 4, Chapter 12
Customs documentation
  • Phyto Sanitary Certificate from exporting country authority
  • ITC (HS) policy condition compliance from DGFT
Compliance steps
  1. 1
    Ensure the consignment is accompanied by a valid Phyto Sanitary Certificate issued by the competent plant-quarantine authority of the exporting country. Upload the certificate in e-Sanchit under document code 851000 before filing the bill of entry; customs out-of-charge will not be granted until this upload is verified.
    ITC (HS) policy condition no. 4 of Chapter 12 · document code 851000 (e-Sanchit)
  2. 2
    Confirm compliance with ITC (HS) import policy condition no. 4 of Chapter 12 at the time of filing the bill of entry. Although the tariff line is Free, the policy condition is binding and non-compliance exposes the consignment to detention pending regularisation.
    ITC (HS) policy condition no. 4 of Chapter 12 · DGFT
A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is treating the Free import status as an absence of documentary requirements and arriving at port without a valid Phyto Sanitary Certificate. The Free classification refers only to the import-licence requirement; the Phyto Sanitary Certificate under document code 851000 remains mandatory regardless, and consignments where this document has not been uploaded in e-Sanchit before the bill of entry are detained pending compliance, accruing demurrage and ground rent.

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Frequently asked
Does HSN 1209 91 90 require BIS certification?
No, vegetable seeds for sowing are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) Free import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade subject to policy condition no. 4 of Chapter 12, with a mandatory Phyto Sanitary Certificate requirement.
What is the document code for the Phyto Sanitary Certificate in e-Sanchit?
The Phyto Sanitary Certificate must be uploaded in e-Sanchit under document code 851000 before customs out-of-charge is issued.
Does the Free import classification mean no conditions apply to this tariff line?
No. Free import status means no import licence is required, but ITC (HS) policy condition no. 4 of Chapter 12 still applies and the Phyto Sanitary Certificate is mandatory at every bill of entry.
Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-16. Source: DGFT / Indian Customs CUSDATA.
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