Veneer sheets, for match boxes and match splints

Veneer sheets for match boxes and match splints

PARTNER GOVERNMENT AGENCY CLEARANCE

HSN 4408 90 20 (Veneer sheets, for match boxes and match splints) is subject to a mandatory Phytosanitary Certificate requirement under India's plant-quarantine regime, administered through the customs out-of-charge verification process. The certificate (document code 851000) must be uploaded in e-Sanchit before the bill of entry clears; no additional sectoral licence applies to this tariff line.

What this is

HSN code

4408 90 20

Chapter

44 · Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) import policy, Chapter 44 — phytosanitary condition

Customs documentation

Phytosanitary Certificate from exporting country authority
e-Sanchit upload confirmation from CBIC

Compliance steps

1
Obtain a Phytosanitary Certificate (document code 851000) issued by the competent plant-protection authority of the exporting country before shipment. The certificate must accompany the consignment and be uploaded in e-Sanchit prior to filing the bill of entry.
CCR mandatory-document requirement · document code 851000 · e-Sanchit upload obligation
2
Ensure the Phytosanitary Certificate (document code 851000) is visible in e-Sanchit before requesting out-of-charge. The proper officer is required to verify the upload and withhold out-of-charge for any PGA-facilitated bill where the certificate has not been lodged.
CCR customs-verification instruction · document code 851000

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is shipping the consignment before the exporting country's plant-protection authority has issued the Phytosanitary Certificate, then attempting to obtain or substitute a document after vessel departure. Customs proper officers are explicitly instructed to verify document code 851000 in e-Sanchit before granting out-of-charge; a missing certificate triggers consignment detention and accumulating demurrage at the Indian port, with no post-arrival remedy short of re-export.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 4408 90 20 require BIS certification?

No. No BIS Quality Control Order covers veneer sheets for match boxes or match splints. The operative requirement for this tariff line is a Phytosanitary Certificate (document code 851000) issued by the exporting country's competent authority and uploaded in e-Sanchit before customs out-of-charge.

Who issues the Phytosanitary Certificate required at the bill of entry?

The Phytosanitary Certificate is issued by the competent plant-protection or agriculture authority of the exporting country; it is not issued by an Indian agency and must be obtained before the consignment departs the country of origin.

What happens if the Phytosanitary Certificate is not uploaded in e-Sanchit at the time of bill of entry?

The proper officer is required to withhold out-of-charge until document code 851000 is uploaded in e-Sanchit; the consignment remains detained at the port, attracting demurrage and ground rent until the document is produced or the goods are re-exported.

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