Summary: The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has issued Notification No. 44/2026-27 dated 12 October 2026, amending the export policy for Prepared Culture Media classified under ITC(HS) Code 38210000. The amendment has been introduced under Section 3 read with Section 5 of the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992, read with paragraphs 1.02 and 2.01 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023. The revised conditions take effect immediately and apply to prepared culture media used for the development or maintenance of microorganisms, including viruses, and plant, human or animal cells.
The export policy for ITC(HS) Code 38210000 continues to be classified as “Free”. However, the revised policy expressly permits the issuance of a Shipment Clearance Certificate and a Health Certificate wherever the importing country requires or mandates such certification. The notification establishes a consignment-wise certification mechanism intended to facilitate compliance with the documentary requirements of importing countries.
Under the revised procedure, CAPEXIL will issue the Shipment Clearance Certificate for each consignment, containing details such as the exporter’s name and address, registered plant address, IEC number, plant approval number, product description, quantity, invoice particulars, port of loading and destination. After shipment, the exporter must also furnish consignment-wise product details, including HS code, packaging, origin, destination, vessel name, departure date and health requirements, for obtaining the Health Certificate.
The Health Certificate will be issued jointly by CAPEXIL and the Regional Animal Quarantine Officer of the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, wherever such certification is required or mandated by the importing country. The amendment therefore retains the free export status of prepared culture media while providing a specified procedure for obtaining shipment clearance and health certification for international trade.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF FOREIGN TRADE
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Notification No. 44/2026-27-DGFT | Dated: 12 Oct, 2026
Subject: Amendment in Export Policy of Prepared Culture Media – regarding.
S.O. (E): In exercise of powers conferred by Section 3 read with Section 5 of the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992, read with paragraph 1.02 and 2.01 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023, as amended from time to time, the Central Government hereby amends the export policy of specific ITC(HS) codes under Chapter 38 of Schedule-II (Export Policy), ITC(HS), 2022, with immediate effect, as under:
1. The Export Policy of the following ITC(HS) Code is amended accordingly:
| ITC(HS) Code | Description | Export Policy | Revised Export Policy Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38210000 | Prepared Culture Media for Development or Maintenance of Micro-organism (including viruses and the like) or of Plant, Human or Animal Cells | Free | Export is allowed freely, however if importing country insists for Shipment Clearance Certificate and health certificate following procedure may be followed:(i) A ‘Shipment Clearance Certificate’ is to be issued consignment-wise by CAPEXIL indicating details of the exporter such as name and address of the exporter, address of the registered plant, IEC No. of the exporter, Plant Approval Number, nature of export product, quantity, invoice number and date, port of loading (name of the port) and destination.
(ii) After the shipment is made, the exporter shall also provide a ‘Health Certificate’ consignment-wise to the buyer giving details of the product with HS Code, packaging, its origin, destination, vessel name, date of departure, health requirements, etc. (iii) The Health Certificate shall be issued jointly by CAPEXIL and the Regional Animal Quarantine Officer, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, wherever such certificate is required or mandated by the importing country. |
Effect of this Notification:
The export policy of Prepared Culture Media under ITC(HS) Code 38210000 has been amended to enable issuance of Shipment Clearance Certificate and Health Certificate, wherever required or mandated by the importing country.
(Lav Agarwal)
Director General of Foreign Trade
& Ex-officio Additional Secretary to the Government of India
E-mail: [email protected]
[File No.: EC NC/13/2026-Export Cell –E47446]
