Summary: The Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India, has issued an advisory dated 8 October 2026 to all State and Union Territory Controllers of Legal Metrology regarding uniform implementation of mandatory declaration requirements for imported pre-packaged commodities under the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011. The communication, bearing reference number I-19/50/2022-W&M Section (E-28602), refers to Rule 4 of the Rules, as amended by G.S.R. 418(E) dated 29 May 2026, concerning the manner and place of making mandatory declarations on imported pre-packaged commodities.
The advisory clarifies that the prescribed mandatory declarations must be made before clearance of goods for home consumption and before the packages are offered for sale, distribution or delivery in the domestic market. The objective is to facilitate legitimate trade, promote ease of doing business and safeguard consumer interests.
For importers holding Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Tier 2 or Tier 3 status, mandatory declarations may be affixed at their approved importer premises wherever permitted under applicable Customs procedures and instructions issued by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). For all other importers, the declarations must be affixed only in a Customs bonded warehouse under section 57 of the Customs Act, 1962, or the importer’s bonded warehouse licensed under section 58 of the Act, as permitted under Rule 4, before clearance for home consumption.
The Department has requested all State and Union Territory Controllers to direct Legal Metrology Officers under their administrative control to ensure strict compliance. The advisory seeks consistent implementation across the country while avoiding unnecessary hardship to trade and protecting consumers.
I-19/50/2022-W&M Section (E-28602)
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS
LEGAL METROLOGY UNIT
Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi,
Date 08.10.2026
To
Controller of Legal Metrology
All States/UTs
Subject: Uniform implementation of the provisions relating to affixing of mandatory declarations under the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 in respect of imported pre-packaged commodities — reg.
Ma’am/ Sir,
The undersigned is directed to refer to the subject mentioned above and to invite the kind attention to Rule 4 of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, as amended vide G.S.R. 418(E) dated 29th May, 2026, relating to the manner and place of making mandatory declarations on imported pre-packaged commodities.
2. The amendment has been carried out with the objective of facilitating legitimate trade while ensuring compliance with the provisions of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011. It is also intended to promote ease of doing business without compromising consumer protection.
3. It is clarified that the mandatory declarations required under the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 shall be made before clearance of the goods for home consumption and before such packages are offered for sale, distribution or delivery in the domestic market.
4. In order to ensure uniform implementation, the following may be adhered to by all field officers:
i. In the case of importers holding Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Tier 2 or Tier 3 status, mandatory declarations may be affixed at their approved importer premises, wherever such facility is permitted under the applicable Customs procedures and instructions issued by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).
ii. In the case of all other importers, mandatory declarations shall be affixed only in a Customs bonded warehouse under section 57 of Customs Act, 1962 or the importer’s bonded warehouse licensed under section 58 of Customs Act, 1962, as permitted under Rule 4 of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 before clearance for home consumption.
5. It is requested to advise to all Legal Metrology Officers under your administrative control for strict compliance so as to ensure uniform implementation across the country and avoid unnecessary hardship to trade while safeguarding consumer interests.
Yours faithfully
(Ashutosh Agarwal)
Director (Legal Metrology)
Phone/0-17: 011-23389489
[email protected]
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