Poppy straw

Poppy straw, dried poppy plant parts

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 1211 40 00 (Poppy straw) is subject to a Restricted-import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the ITC (HS) Schedule I import policy. As a poppy-derived plant material, the consignment is also subject to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 and applicable NDPS Rules governing import authorisation.

What this is

HSN code

1211 40 00

Chapter

12 · Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruit; industrial or medicinal plants

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) Restricted import policy, Chapter 12

Customs documentation

Import Licence from DGFT
Compliance documentation from State government

Compliance steps

1
Confirm that a valid import licence or authorisation has been obtained from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade prior to shipment, as import of poppy straw is Restricted under the ITC (HS) Schedule I policy. No bill of entry can be filed without the requisite licence in place.
ITC (HS) Restricted import policy, Chapter 12
2
Upload all mandatory documents in e-Sanchit at the bill of entry stage and ensure the Customs proper officer can verify the DGFT licence before granting out-of-charge. Any PGA-facilitated bill not routed through the relevant authority for NOC must have documentation verified before out-of-charge is granted.
ITC (HS) Restricted import policy, Chapter 12

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is treating the DGFT Restricted-import licence as the only compliance requirement and overlooking that poppy straw, as a part of the opium poppy plant, engages the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 framework; an incomplete regulatory stack at the bill of entry results in consignment detention and potential seizure under NDPS enforcement, not merely a DGFT policy breach.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 1211 40 00 require BIS certification?

No, poppy straw is not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under the ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy for Chapter 12, with NDPS Act, 1985 controls applying as the substantive regulatory overlay.

What is the consequence of importing poppy straw without a DGFT import licence?

Import without the requisite DGFT licence exposes the consignment to detention, confiscation, and monetary penalty under the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992, and may additionally trigger seizure and criminal liability under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.

Is poppy straw treated differently from other restricted plant materials at customs?

Yes. Unlike general restricted botanical imports, poppy straw's nexus to narcotic alkaloids means that even procedural non-compliance — such as a misdescription on the bill of entry — can attract NDPS enforcement in addition to standard DGFT Restricted-import consequences.

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