Clarification regarding FSSAI's requirement of AGMARK certification in case of imported food products - Customs - Instruction No. 23/2022

Instruction No. 23/2022-Customs F. No. 401/19/2020-CUS-III Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Revenue (Central Board of Indirect Taxes Customs ) North Block, New Delhi, Dated : 09.09.2022 To. 1. All Pr. Chief Commissioners/Chief Commissioners of Customs/Customs (Preventive)/Customs and Central Tax 2. All Pr. Chief Commissioner/Chief Commissioner of Central Tax Customs. Subject :- Clarification regarding FSSAI's requirement of AGMARK certification in case of imported food products reg. Sir/Madam, Reference is invited to Board's Instruction No. 12/2020 - Customs dated 10.07.2020 on the above subject, enclosing the advisory of FSSAI issued vide letter no.1-1800/FSSAI/Imports/2019 dated 07.07.2020 on the above captioned subject regarding complying with AGMARK certification and Rules and Regulations under FSS Act. 2. Now, a fresh advisory, dated 18.08.2022 issued by Director (Trade and IC), FSSAI on the above captioned subject (copy enclosed) has modified the above referred advisory of FSSAI issued vide letter no.1-1800/FSSAI/Imports/2019 dated 07.07.2020 on the above captioned subject. 3. Vide its recent advisory dated 18.08.2022, FSSAI have stated that the representation has been received from various stakeholders seeking clarification with respect to applicability of requirement of AGMARK certification in case of import food products. The matter was taken up with the DMI and it has been informed that Foreign country/overseas certification under Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act 1937 is not being carried out by DMI. Therefore, as decided, it was agreed to keep the requirement of AGMARK certification for imported food consignments in abeyance till further orders . 4. The Instruction No. 12/2020 - Customs dated 10.07.2020 is modified accordingly. 5. Any issue faced in implementation of this instruction may be brought to the notice of the Board. 6. Hindi version follows. Encl: As above. Yours faithfully, (Manish Kumar Choudhary) Under Secretary to the Government of India