Kokam (cocum) flowers

Kokam (cocum) flowers, dried or fresh vegetable product

FSSAI CLEARANCE

HSN 1212 99 10 (Kokam (cocum) flowers) is subject to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Import Licence and labelling compliance under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the FSS (Import) Regulations, 2017. Import is permitted only through designated food-import entry points under General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of the ITC (HS) 2022, administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). Kokam flowers, as a spice-classified product, are subject to the pre-import condition under Appendix 4J and are ineligible for import under Duty Free Import Authorisation.

What this is

HSN code

1212 99 10

Chapter

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

Primary regulator

FSSAI · Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006; FSS (Import) Regulations, 2017

Customs documentation

Import Licence from FSSAI
Specimen copy of label from FSSAI
Designated port declaration to CBIC

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

FSSAIFSSAI·Food Safety and Standards Authority of India

Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs.

Compliance steps

1
Obtain a valid FSSAI Import Licence (document code 911001) and upload it in e-Sanchit before filing the bill of entry. Also upload the Specimen Copy of Label (document code 0110FS) confirming compliance with FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020; the customs proper officer will verify both before granting out-of-charge.
CBIC Instruction 10/2022-Customs dated 28-06-2022 · CBIC Instruction 09/2023-Cus dated 07-03-2023 · FSSAI order dated 18-11-2022 under F.No.Import/TFM/Apex/2022-FSSAI
2
Route the consignment only through designated food-import entry points as required under General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of the ITC (HS) 2022. Labelling deficiencies limited to per-serve RDA contribution and expiry date information may be rectified at customs bonded warehouses via a single non-detachable sticker before inspection, without altering the original label.
General Note 4(D) of ITC (HS) 2022 · CBIC Instruction 10/2022-Customs dated 28-06-2022 · FSSAI Letter 1828/Misc Matters/FSSAI/Imports-2021 dated 17-06-2022
3
Do not attempt import of kokam flowers under Duty Free Import Authorisation. All spices, including kokam, fall under Appendix 4J and are subject to a pre-import condition; their import under DFIA is ineligible under any circumstances irrespective of intended end use.
DGFT Policy Circular 05/2025 dated 22-09-2025

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is attempting to import kokam flowers under a Duty Free Import Authorisation on the basis that the end use is industrial or non-food processing. DGFT Policy Circular 05/2025 removes that argument entirely: all spices under Appendix 4J carry a pre-import condition, rendering DFIA ineligible regardless of end use. A consignment presented with a DFIA at the bill of entry will be treated as an unauthorised Restricted-import and is liable to detention and confiscation pending re-export or compounding.

Need a regulatory steer on this product?

Speak to a regulatory counsel about your specific HSN, IS, and supplier situation.

Speak to an Expert

Frequently asked

Does HSN 1212 99 10 require BIS certification?

No, kokam (cocum) flowers are outside the BIS Quality Control Order regime; no BIS QCO covers this product. Import is governed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, with FSSAI Import Licence and labelling compliance as the operative requirements.

Which document codes must be uploaded in e-Sanchit at the bill of entry for this HSN?

The FSSAI Import Licence (document code 911001) and the Specimen Copy of Label (document code 0110FS) must both be uploaded in e-Sanchit before the customs proper officer can grant out-of-charge, per CBIC Instruction 09/2023-Cus dated 07-03-2023.

Can kokam flowers be imported under a Duty Free Import Authorisation for use in a manufacturing process?

No. DGFT Policy Circular 05/2025 dated 22-09-2025 clarifies that all spices, including kokam, fall under Appendix 4J and are subject to the pre-import condition, making their import under DFIA impermissible irrespective of intended end use.

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