Fruit seeds for planting or sowing

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 1209 99 10 (Fruit seeds for planting or sowing) is classified as Free under the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), subject to policy condition no. 4 of Chapter 12. A Phytosanitary Certificate is mandated at the bill-of-entry stage and must be uploaded in e-Sanchit before customs out-of-charge.

What this is

HSN code

1209 99 10

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

Phytosanitary Certificate from exporting country authority
ITC (HS) policy condition declaration to CBIC

Compliance steps

1
Ensure the consignment is accompanied by a valid Phytosanitary Certificate issued by the competent 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 · CCR e-Sanchit requirement
2
Confirm compliance with ITC (HS) policy condition no. 4 of Chapter 12 at the bill-of-entry stage. Although import is otherwise Free, failure to satisfy the policy condition converts the consignment to a non-compliant import liable to detention.
ITC (HS) Import Policy, Chapter 12, policy condition no. 4

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is assuming that a 'Free' import status dispenses with documentary requirements. Policy condition no. 4 of Chapter 12 remains operative regardless of the Free classification, and a Phytosanitary Certificate (document code 851000) that is absent from e-Sanchit at the time of bill-of-entry assessment will cause the consignment to be held pending out-of-charge — generating port demurrage and ground rent with no regulatory shortcut available.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 1209 99 10 require BIS certification?

No, fruit seeds for planting or sowing fall outside the BIS Quality Control Order regime. 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 Phytosanitary Certificate at the bill of entry.

What is document code 851000 and when must it be uploaded?

Document code 851000 is the Phytosanitary Certificate issued by the competent plant-protection authority of the exporting country; it must be uploaded in e-Sanchit before the customs proper officer grants out-of-charge on the bill of entry.

Does the Free import status mean no conditions apply to this HSN?

No. 'Free' refers only to the absence of a licence or quota restriction; policy condition no. 4 of Chapter 12 independently requires a Phytosanitary Certificate, and non-compliance triggers detention of the consignment at the port of import.

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