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Gingerbread and the like

Gingerbread and similar spiced or honeyed baked goods

FSSAI CLEARANCE

HSN 1905 20 00 (Gingerbread and the like) 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 FSS (Import) Regulations, 2017. Consignments must enter through food-import entry points notified under General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of the ITC (HS) 2022, with the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) applying policy overlays including a prohibition on imports of milk-containing confectionery products from China.

What this is

HSN code

1905 20 00

Chapter

19 · Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk; pastrycooks' products

Primary regulator

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

Customs documentation

Import Licence from FSSAI
Specimen copy of label from FSSAI
Port-entry compliance from DGFT

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 an FSSAI Import Licence (document code 911001) and ensure the specimen copy of the label (document code 0110FS) is uploaded in e-Sanchit before filing the bill of entry. The proper officer will verify both documents before granting out-of-charge.
FSSAI Import Licence (document code 911001) · Specimen Copy of Label (document code 0110FS) · CBIC Instruction 10/2022-Customs dated 28-06-2022
2
Verify that labelling conforms to FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, including per-serve percentage contribution to recommended dietary allowance and date of expiry. Rectifiable labelling deficiencies may be corrected at a customs bonded warehouse by affixing a single non-detachable sticker next to the principal display panel before authorised-officer inspection.
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 · FSSAI Letter 1828/Misc Matters/FSSAI/Imports-2021 dated 17-06-2022
3
Where gingerbread or similar products contain milk or milk solids as an ingredient and originate from China, the consignment is prohibited under DGFT Notification 01/2015-20 dated 23-04-2019 pending laboratory capacity upgradation for melamine testing at ports. Additionally, verify applicability of DGFT Notification 7/2025-26 dated 17-05-2025 regarding port restrictions on imports from Bangladesh.
DGFT Notification 01/2015-20 dated 23-04-2019 · DGFT Notification 7/2025-26 dated 17-05-2025 · General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of ITC (HS) 2022

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is importing gingerbread or similar confectionery with milk or milk solids as an ingredient from China without recognising that the prohibition under DGFT Notification 01/2015-20 dated 23-04-2019 remains in force — the consignment will be detained and refused out-of-charge regardless of a current FSSAI Import Licence. Separately, importers frequently overlook that label rectification at the customs bonded warehouse is permissible only by a single non-detachable sticker affixed without altering the original label; any other method of correction renders the consignment non-compliant and liable to re-export or confiscation.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 1905 20 00 require BIS certification?

No, gingerbread and similar bakers' wares are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. 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 binding requirements at the bill-of-entry stage.

Are gingerbread products containing milk from China permitted to import?

No. Imports of food preparations with milk or milk solids as an ingredient from China are prohibited under DGFT Notification 01/2015-20 dated 23-04-2019 until port laboratory capacity for melamine testing is certified as adequate; a current FSSAI Import Licence does not override this prohibition.

Which entry points are notified for food imports under this tariff line?

Import must be routed through the designated food-import entry points notified under General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of the ITC (HS) 2022; additionally, imports from Bangladesh are subject to port restrictions per DGFT Notification 7/2025-26 dated 17-05-2025, with exemptions as stated in paragraphs 2 and 3 of that notification.

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