Garcinia

Garcinia plants and parts for pharmacy or perfumery

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 1211 90 16 (Garcinia) is subject to ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), which classifies all spices — including Garcinia — under Appendix 4J as subject to a pre-import condition. DGFT Policy Circular 05/2025 dated 22-09-2025 clarifies that spices falling under Appendix 4J are ineligible for import under a Duty Free Import Authorisation (DFIA), irrespective of the intended end use.

What this is

HSN code

1211 90 16

Chapter

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

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) import policy, Appendix 4J pre-import condition

Customs documentation

Import policy compliance from DGFT
Appendix 4J declaration to CBIC

Compliance steps

1
Confirm that the import of Garcinia is not being routed under a Duty Free Import Authorisation. DGFT Policy Circular 05/2025 dated 22-09-2025 explicitly bars import of all spices under DFIA, as they fall under Appendix 4J and are subject to a pre-import condition that renders DFIA routing impermissible in all circumstances.
DGFT Policy Circular 05/2025 dated 22-09-2025 · ITC (HS) Appendix 4J
2
Satisfy the applicable pre-import condition under Appendix 4J before filing the bill of entry. Document compliance with the ITC (HS) policy condition and ensure the declaration is uploaded in e-Sanchit prior to customs out-of-charge.
DGFT Policy Circular 05/2025 dated 22-09-2025 · ITC (HS) Appendix 4J pre-import condition

A word of counsel

The most frequent error on this tariff line is assuming that the DFIA exclusion applies only when Garcinia is imported as a spice for culinary use, and that pharmaceutical or perfumery end-use creates an exemption. DGFT Policy Circular 05/2025 expressly states that the ineligibility is irrespective of intended end use — a consignment arriving under a DFIA for any purpose is liable to confiscation and DGFT enforcement action, with no retrospective cure available at the bill-of-entry stage.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 1211 90 16 require BIS certification?

No, Garcinia plants and parts are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, specifically the Appendix 4J pre-import condition clarified in DGFT Policy Circular 05/2025 dated 22-09-2025.

Can Garcinia be imported under a Duty Free Import Authorisation if the end use is pharmaceutical rather than culinary?

No. DGFT Policy Circular 05/2025 dated 22-09-2025 clarifies that all spices under Appendix 4J — including Garcinia — are ineligible for DFIA import irrespective of the intended end use; the pre-import condition applies without exception.

What is the pre-import condition under Appendix 4J and how must it be satisfied?

Appendix 4J of the ITC (HS) requires that the specified pre-import condition be fulfilled before the goods are shipped; the condition must be documented and the compliance declaration uploaded in e-Sanchit at the bill-of-entry stage for customs out-of-charge.

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