F. No. 401/36/2021-Cus.III
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
(Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs)
North Block, New Delhi.
Instruction No. 15/2021-Customs | Dated: 30th June, 2021
To
All Principal Chief Commissioner/Chief Commissioner of Customs/Custom
(Preventive),
All Principal Chief Commissioner/Chief Commissioner of Central Tax and Customs,
All Principal Commissioner/Commissioner of Customs /Custom (Preventive),
All Principal Commissioner/Commissioner of Central Tax and Customs.
Subject:- Requirement of COVID-19 testing in live animals before importing into India-reg
Madam/Sir,
Reference is invited to O.M. F.No. L-110110/5/2021-Trade-Part(1)(E-19215) dated 21.06.2021 issued by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying on the above-mentioned subject (copy enclosed).
2. It is stated that in order to rule out the spreading of COVID-19 infection through imported animals, the Cats (domestic- Felis catus), other members of the family; Felidae i.e. tigers (Panthera tigris), lions (Panthera leo), snow leopards (Panthera uncial), pumas (Puma spp.) etc. and Gorillas (Gorilla spp.) have to be tested for COVID-19 infection by the travelers/exporters in the exporting country while importing into India, till COVID-19 situation prevails.
3. In this regard, the concerned Regional officers/Quarantine officers, Animal Quarantine and Certification Services (AQCS) will issue advance NOC/Final AQCS clearance for import of aforesaid animals into India after receiving negative COVID-19 test report (no more than 3 days old before export into India) in addition to other existing requirements in this regard.
4. It is requested that necessary action may be taken to sensitise officers under your jurisdiction regarding the above-mentioned requirements for import of live animals.
5. The difficulties, if any, may be brought to the notice of the Board. Hindi version follows.
Yours faithfully,
Encl: as above
(Kevin Boban)
Under Secretary (Customs-III)
File No.: L-110110/5/2021-Trade-Part (1) (E-19215)
Government of India
Ministry of Fisheries. Animal Husbandry and Dairying
Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying
Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi-110 001,
Dated the 21st June, 2021.
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Requirement of COVID-19 testing in live animals before importing into India— regarding.
The undersigned is directed to refer the above cited subject and to say that as per advisory dated 30 April, 2021 by Ministry of Environment. Forest and Climate Change, in view of the spread of COVID-19 in the country and reports of death of lions due to COVID-19, there are possibilities of spread of the virus amongst animals in National Parks/ Sanctuaries and other protected areas and also transmission of the virus from humans to animals and vice-versa.
2. Further, as per World Animal Health Organization (01E) Technical Fact Sheet, the Cats (domestic). Large cats (tigers, lions. snow leopards and pumas) and Gorillas are having high susceptibility of infection against natural COVID-19 infection.
3. In view of above and to rule out the spreading of COVID-19 infection through imported animals, the Cats (domestic- Fells catus), other members of the Family: Felidae i.e. tigers (Panthera tigris), lions (Panthera leo), snow leopards (Panthera uncial), pumas (Puma spp.) and Gorillas (Gorilla spp.) have to be tested for COVID-19 infection by the travellers / exporters in the exporting country while importing into India. till such situation prevails.
4. The concerned Regional Officers / Quarantine Officers, Animal Quarantine and Certification Services (AQCS) will issue advance No Objection Certificate / Final AQCS clearance for import of aforesaid animals into India after receiving negative COVID-19 test report (no more than 3 days old before export into India) in addition to other existing requirements in this regard.
5. This has the approval of the Hon’ble Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
(Dr. Gagan Garg)
Assistant Commissioner (Trade)
Email: gagan.garg@nic.in
Distribution:
All Regional Officers / Quarantine Officers, Animal Quarantine and Certification Services. Delhi / Mumbai / Bangaluru / Chennai / Kolkata / Hyderabad.
Copy for kind information and necessary action to;
1) Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industries. Udyog Bhawan, New Delhi. Email: csoffice@nic.in
2) Secretary, Ministry of Environment. Forest and Climate Change, Indira Paryavaran Bhavan, Jorbagh Road. New Delhi. Email: secy- moef@nic.in
3) Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, South Block, New Delhi, with a request to disseminate the information abroad. Email: psfs@mea.gov.in
4) Joint Secretary (Customs). Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs, Department of Revenue. North Block, New Delhi. Email: jscus@nic.in
5) Director General. Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Udyog Bhawan, New Delhi. Email: dgft@nic.in
6) Dy Inspector General of Forest, Central Zoo Authority, B-1 Wing. 6111 Floor, Pandit Deendayal Antyodaya Bhawan, CGO Complex. Lodhi Road, New Delhi — 110 003. Email: cza@nic.in
7) Commissioner, Single Window Project, Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, New Delhi-110 001.Email: mgt.valavan@nic.in
8) Deputy Secretary. Department of Commerce, Udyog Bhawan. New Delhi – I 10 001. E-mail d2tpd-doc@nic.in
9) All AQCSs to disseminate the information with all stakeholders including importers through facilitation channels.
10)NIC, DAHD with a request to upload on the Department and AQCS’s website.
Copy also for kind information to;
1) PS to the Hon’ble Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
2) PS to the Hon’ble Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (SKB).
3) PPS to the Secretary, AHD.
4) PS to the AHC / JS (OPC) / JS (UB) / JS (VJ) / JS (GNS).
File No.. L-110110/5/2021-Trade-Part (1) (E-19215)
