Mint

Mint plants and plant parts, fresh, dried or powdered

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 1211 90 53 (Mint) is subject to the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). DGFT Policy Circular 05/2025 dated 22-09-2025 clarifies that mint, as a spice falling under Appendix 4J, is subject to a pre-import condition and is ineligible for import under Duty Free Import Authorisation (DFIA) under any circumstances, irrespective of intended end use.

What this is

HSN code

1211 90 53

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 declaration from DGFT
Appendix 4J compliance from DGFT

Compliance steps

1
Confirm that the import of mint is not being routed under a Duty Free Import Authorisation. DGFT Policy Circular 05/2025 dated 22-09-2025 expressly bars DFIA use for all spices listed under Appendix 4J, including mint, regardless of the importer's stated end use.
DGFT Policy Circular 05/2025 dated 22-09-2025
2
Comply with the pre-import condition applicable to mint under Appendix 4J of the ITC (HS) policy before filing the bill of entry. Failure to satisfy the pre-import condition renders the consignment liable to detention and Restricted-import enforcement at the port.
DGFT Policy Circular 05/2025 dated 22-09-2025 · ITC (HS) Appendix 4J

A word of counsel

The critical error on this tariff line is assuming that an DFIA entitlement issued for a downstream manufactured product provides a lawful basis to import mint as an input without pre-import clearance. DGFT Policy Circular 05/2025 forecloses this route entirely: the ineligibility is absolute and attaches to the product category, not to the authorisation holder's profile or the intended manufacturing use.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 1211 90 53 require BIS certification?

No, mint plants and plant parts are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, with a pre-import condition under Appendix 4J.

Can mint be imported under a Duty Free Import Authorisation?

No. DGFT Policy Circular 05/2025 dated 22-09-2025 explicitly declares all spices under Appendix 4J, including mint, ineligible for import under DFIA irrespective of intended end use.

What is the consequence of importing mint without satisfying the Appendix 4J pre-import condition?

The consignment is treated as a Restricted-import policy violation, exposing the importer to detention, ground rent, and DGFT enforcement action including potential re-export or confiscation of the goods.

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