Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) has issued Instruction No. 22/2024-Customs to guide the implementation of an agreement signed between the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA). The agreement, signed on March 21, 2024, recognizes the official control exercised by the BFDA over Food Business Operators (FBOs) in Bhutan as equivalent to the requirements set by FSSAI. As part of this collaboration, the BFDA will issue Health Certificates to validate compliance for food exports to India. Customs authorities are instructed to clear food consignments from Bhutan if they are accompanied by the necessary Health Certificate issued by the BFDA. Importers or Customs Brokers must upload the Health Certificate on the e-Sanchit platform using document code 8511FS and ensure all details are accurate when filing the bill of entry. Customs officers designated as authorized officers for FSSAI must verify that the requisite documents are in order before granting the No Objection Certificate (NOC). The instruction emphasizes the need to sensitize customs officers regarding these compliance requirements.
F.No.401/103/2021-Cus.Ill
Government of India
Ministry of Finance,
Department of Revenue
(Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs)
Instruction No. 22/2024-Customs | Dated: 16th October, 2024
To
All Principal Chief Commissioners/ Chief Commissioners of Customs/ Customs (Preventive)/Customs & Central Taxes
All Principal Commissioners/Commissioners of Customs /Customs (Preventive).
All Pr. Director General/Director Generals under CBIC
Subject: Implementation of “Agreement” signed between FSSAI, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA) -reg.
Madam/Sir,
Reference is invited to FSSAI Office Order dated 13.09.2024 issued from File No: TIC/1/2024-IMPORTS-FSSAI (copy attached as Annexure A) on the above subject.
2.1 Vide above order, it is stated that an “Agreement” has been signed between FSSAI, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA), Ministry of Health, Royal Govt. of Bhutan, at Thimphu on 21 March, 2024. The Agreement aims to recognize the official control exercised by BFDA on Food Business Operators (FBOs) as equivalent to FSSAl’s requirement and the BFDA shall issue a Health Certificate as proof of compliance with the requirements prescribed by FSSAI, for export of food products to India.
2.2 It is further stated that, for compliance and smooth implementation of the above said agreement, all the concerned officers shall ensure the compliance of following requirements:
i. If the Imported food consignment from the Bhutanese manufacturer with the scope of approval as per the list attached as Annexure B, is accompanied with the prescribed Health Certificate, attached as Annexure C, duly issued by the BFDA Competent Authority, then NOC may be given to the consignment based on the duly compliant accompanied Health Certificate.
3. Specimen signatures of the Authorized signatories issuing the Health Certificate are being shared separately for reference and records.
4. In case of imported food consignments covered under the scope of aforesaid ‘Agreement’, the requisite Health Certificate shall be mandatorily uploaded on e-sanchit by the importer/Customs Broker under document code 8511FS and the particulars of the Health Certificate shall be carefully entered while filing the bill of entry. The out-of-charge officer/TSK officer shall verify the Health Certificate as per practice being followed for verification of such documents. In cases, where Customs Officers are functioning as Authorised Officers of FSSAI, they shall ensure, before granting NOC, that requisite documents as stated above are uploaded on e-sanchit and are in order.
5. It is requested that necessary action may be taken to sensitize officers under your jurisdiction regarding the said matter.
6. The difficulties, if any, may be brought to the notice of the Board.
Hindi version follows.
Yours faithfully,
(Neeraj Goyal)
OSD (Cus-III)
Email: [email protected]
Tele: 011 23094012
Encls: as above
Copy to:- (for information and necessary action)
1. The Pr. ADG, NCTC, Mumbai.
2. The Webmaster, CBIC
