Customs Issues Order on PQ Clearance for Processed Imports

Commissioner of Customs, Jawaharlal Nehru Customs House (JNCH), has issued Standing Order No. 03/2025 addressing unnecessary delays in the clearance of processed plant products due to unwarranted requests for Plant Quarantine (PQ) No Objection Certificates (NOCs). The order highlights representations from importers, including AEO T2/T3 clients, regarding delays caused by repeated physical examinations for items exempted from PQ requirements.

Referring to an Annexure of the Office Memorandum dated 06.07.2018, the order reiterates that processed items such as medium-density fiberboard, plywood, particle board, and various food products are exempt from PQ clearance. Customs officers are instructed not to route exempt items for PQ NOCs unless there is a doubt arising from physical examination. The list of exempted items, available on the PQ authorities’ website, includes goods like hermetically packed food products, processed wood items, and certain plant fiber derivatives.

The concerned Assistant/Deputy Commissioners (AC/DC) are advised to waive the PQ NOC requirement for exempt items in the system to ensure smoother operations. In cases of doubt, goods may be referred to PQ authorities for verification. The order aims to align import procedures with existing exemptions to avoid delays and prevent damage to goods.

Any difficulties in implementing the instructions should be reported to the Commissioner for resolution. The directive applies to all officers and staff at JNCH.

OFFICE OF TIIE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS CNS-V)
JAWAHARLAL NEHRU CUSTOMS HOUSE, NHAVA SHEVA,
TALUKA URAN, DIST. RAIGAD, MAHARASHTRA-400707
Email – cus.grp6mumbai2@gov.in

F No. S/26-Misc-232/2024-25/Gr.VI/JNCH

Standing Order No. 03/2025 Dated: 03.01.2025

Subject: Unnecessary seeking Plant quarantine (PQ) no objection (NOC) in respect of live Bills of entry, for processed items (Plant Products) which do not require PQ clearance — reg.

Representations have been received from trade (including from AEO T2/T3 clients) importing goods under CTH 9401/9403, that the release of consignments of processed plant product (e.g. of Medium density fibre board, processed ply wood, particle board, oriental strand board, Veneer) is delayed for the reason that physical examination for such products is being conducted every time. It has also been brought to the notice that most of these items are in the exempted category for which no PQ-NOC is required, but 00C officers are still seeking such NOC each time a consignment is imported. This is not only time consuming and leads to damage to the imported goods, but also negating the Office Memorandum dated 06.07.2018 (Annexure to which stands amended as of now) which specifically excludes the need to have it tested by the PQ authorities.

2. Accordingly, attention of all the officers and staff of JNCH is invited to the Annexure (copy enclosed) to the Office Memorandum dated 06.07.2018 issued by Joint Director (PQ) regarding non-requirement of phytosanitary inspection or approval, for different categories of processed plant products.

3. Vide the said Annexure, a list of Processed Items (Plant Products) which do not require PQ clearance has been provided. Clearly, these processed items do not require clearance from Plant Quarantine authorities on importation. Also no phytosanitary inspection is to be done for these items.

4. Thus, the said goods may not be routed to PQ authorities for NOC if these are clearly listed in the enclosed said Annexure (also available on the website of PQ authorities). Since our system would still expect our intercession in some of these bills of entry, considering that the CTHs mentioned above would be targeted, it is expected that the concerned AC/DC (Docks) or AC/DC (RMSFC) shall waive the requirement of the said No Objection Certificate in system, if the imported goods are of the items listed in the Annexure. Only in case of a doubt arising out of physical examination of the goods that the goods do not pertain to the exempted category, the said AC/DC may refer it to the PQ authorities.

5. Any difficulty in complying  with this Standing Order may be brought to the Notice of the Commissioner in-charge.

(Sonal Bajaj)
Commissioner of Customs, NS-V
JNCH.

End: As above.

Copy to:

1. The Chief Commissioner of Customs, INCH.

2. The Commissioner of Customs, NS-I & NS-III.

3. All AC/DC, Docks & AC/DC RMS.

4. AC/DC, EDI (for uploading on JNCH website).

5. Notice Board.

6. Office copy.