PRE-ENTRY QUARANTINE REQUIREMENTS

An Import Permit issued by authorized plant quarantine officer in India, notified vide Schedule-X of Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003 and a Phytosanitary Certificate issued at the country of origin of the consignment are mandatory for import of seeds/plants/plant material for sowing/planting/propagation and for consumption cover under Schedule-V and Schedule-VI.

Import Permit is not required for the plant materials covered under Schedule-VII.

A special permit issued by the Plant Protection Adviser is required for import of soil, earth, clay and similar material for any microbiological, soil-mechanics, or mineralogical investigations and peat for horticultural purposes.

For import of insects or microbial cultures including mushroom, algae and or bio-control agents a special permit issued by the Plant Protection Adviser is essential.

Further a special permit issued by the Director, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) New Delhi-110012, is needed for the import of Germplasm/ Transgenic/ Genetically Modified Organisms for research/ experimental purpose by public/ private sector institutions. The permit issuance for Transgenic / Genetically Modified Organisms is subject to prior approval of Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM) under Department of Biotechnology.

Any articles packed with raw / solid wood packing material, import of which requires appropriate treatment* and marking on packing material as per ISPM-15 (FAO) or Phytosanitary Certificate stating that packing material has been appropriately treated.

The treatment of packing material include fumigation with Methyl Bromide @ 48g/M3 for 16 hrs at 21oC and above or any equivalent thereof or Heat Treatment at 56oC for 30 mins. Or Kiln Drying or Chemical Impregnation or any other treatment that meet Heat Treatment specifications of ISPM-15.