Quartz sands

Natural silica and quartz sands

PPQS CLEARANCE

HSN 2505 10 20 (Quartz sands) is subject to Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage (PPQS) import controls under the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003. Import is classified as Free under the ITC (HS) policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), but clearance requires a valid PPQS Import Permit and a Phytosanitary Certificate from the country of export before out-of-charge.

What this is

HSN code

2505 10 20

Chapter

25 · Salt; sulphur; earths and stone; plastering materials, lime and cement

Primary regulator

PPQS · Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003

Customs documentation

Import Permit from PPQS
Phytosanitary Certificate from exporting country
ITC (HS) Free policy declaration to DGFT

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

PPQSPPQS·Plant Quarantine and Phytosanitary regime

Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

Compliance steps

1
Obtain an Import Permit issued by the Plant Quarantine and Inspection Service (PQIS) before the consignment is shipped. The permit (document code 911PQ1) must be uploaded in e-Sanchit at the bill of entry stage; customs out-of-charge will not be granted without it.
Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003 · document code 911PQ1
2
Ensure a Phytosanitary Certificate issued by the competent authority of the exporting country accompanies the consignment and is uploaded in e-Sanchit under document code 851000 before filing the bill of entry. The proper officer will verify the upload prior to granting out-of-charge.
Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003 · document code 851000

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is assuming that the ITC (HS) Free status removes all port-clearance formality. The Free-import classification eliminates the DGFT licence requirement but does not waive the PPQS Import Permit or the Phytosanitary Certificate — both are mandatory PGA documents verified independently at the bill of entry. Consignments arriving without either document uploaded in e-Sanchit are detained at the port of import pending PPQS regularisation, attracting demurrage and ground rent.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 2505 10 20 require BIS certification?

No, quartz sands are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage under the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003, with a Phytosanitary Certificate and PQIS Import Permit required at the bill of entry.

What are the document codes required in e-Sanchit for this tariff line?

Two documents must be uploaded in e-Sanchit: the PQIS Import Permit under document code 911PQ1 and the Phytosanitary Certificate under document code 851000; out-of-charge is withheld until both are verified by the proper officer.

Does the Free import status under ITC (HS) mean no PPQS clearance is needed?

No. The Free status applies only to the DGFT licensing requirement; the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003 operates as an independent regulatory overlay and the PPQS Import Permit and Phytosanitary Certificate remain compulsory regardless of the ITC (HS) policy classification.

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