The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the Department) is the Australian government authority responsible for export registration, inspection and certification of Australian food and agricultural exports.

All premises involved in the production of bovine milk and milk products for export must be registered with the Department. Premises involved in the production of non-bovine products may also need to be registered, however this is only when required by an importing country, product information is available at Dairy product codes. For more information or assistance with the export registration process contact the Department's Dairy, Eggs and Fish Program at dairyeggsfish@aff.gov.au. The Department encourages exporters to work with their importer to clarify any specific import conditions for exported products.

Exceptions to establishment registration and export certification

Export registration and export certification may not be required if you are manufacturing and exporting the following products, which are deemed as goods that are not prescribed under the Export Control (Milk and Milk products) Rules 2021:

1. (a) ice cream;
2. (b) cheesecakes, Bavarian desserts and similar desserts;
3. (c) colostrum;
4. (d) milk or milk products encased in pastry or a fruit or vegetable product;
5. (e) milk products where milk or milk products are not the major component;
6. (f) milk or milk products that are derived from the lacteal secretion obtained from an animal other than a bovine animal;
7. (g) milk or milk products that are animal food or pharmaceutical material;
8. (h) any other milk or milk products that are not covered by subsection (1) of this section;
9. (i) liquid milk and milk products exported in a consignment of not more than 10 litres;
10. (j) milk or milk products not covered by paragraphs (a) to (i) exported in a consignment of not more than 10 kilograms;
11. (k) milk or milk products in the form of a tablet or capsule.

Note

If the importing country requires government to government certification for the entry of the above goods, then this can only be provided by the department when the goods have been approved to be prepared in an export registered establishment.

Exceptions (ships stores)

Export certification is not issued for ships stores as the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021 do not apply. Ships stores are milk and milk products on ships or aircraft for the use of passengers and crew or for the service of the ships or aircraft on a voyage from Australia.

There are no known products that are prohibited for export to this market.

India's import requirements are published on the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying website.

India's food safety requirements  are available on the Food Safety and Standards Authority website: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India​.

Milk and milk products of bovine origin are defined as prescribed goods under the Export Control Act. Production of these products for export is regulated under the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021.

Milk and milk products manufactured from non-bovine species, for example buffalo, goat and sheep, may also need to be regulated through the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021, though this is only required when export registration and health certification from the department is required by India.

We are not aware that India has any known additional requirements for the production and export of non-bovine milk and milk products.

Unless technical products and pharmaceutical material are prepared at an establishment that produces milk and milk products for export as food, these products are non prescribed goods. They are not regulated by the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021.

Unless animal food is prepared at an establishment that produces milk and milk products for export as food, these products are non prescribed goods.

In accordance with the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021, animal food must be clearly identified as animal food and not for human consumption. It must also be segregated from and not contaminate milk and milk products that are for human consumption.

India has no known additional requirements for Manufacturing Grade milk and milk products that differ from the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021.

Please refer to Indian microbiological criteria for dairy products for the requirements for:

• Processed cheese / cheese spread
• All other cheeses
• Butter / butter oil / butter fat / ghee
• Dried products: milk powders / whey / cream / edible casein / ice-cream mix
• Pasteurised milk / cream / flavoured milk
• Sweetened condensed milk
• Steilised / UHT milk / cream / flavoured or evaporated milk

India residue standards

Maximum residue limits (MRLs) or import tolerances for residues of specific agricultural and veterinary chemicals approved for use in Australia may not exist in India or may be established at levels lower than those established in Australia. Maximum Limits (MLs) for contaminants may also vary between India and Australia.

Food business operators should note that:

• These differences can be interrogated case-by-case by considering the India standards and the Australian standards.
• Any detection of a residue above the India​ MRLs/MLs (as applicable) at the border may result in rejection of the consignment.

Note

Importing country residue standards can usually be found via the official webpages of their competent authority. Links to a limited number of export markets and Australia are provided on the DAFF website.

India has no known additional requirements for general operations that differ from those required in the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021.

India has no known additional hygiene requirements that differ from those required in the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021.

Milk and milk products that are prescribed under Australia's export rules

1. are milk or milk products derived from a bovine animal; and
   
2. are intended to be exported as food.

Milk and milk products that are not prescribed under Australia's export rules

Milk and milk products which do not meet the criteria under the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021 are classified by Australia as non-prescribed goods. It is the responsibility of the exporter to confirm with the importing country if there are any specific requirements for the import of these products. Typically, non-prescribed goods include ice-cream, non-bovine milk products, colostrum and products with a minor component of dairy.

Further information on exporting non-prescribed goods from Australia is available on the department’s website.

In some cases, an importing country requires specific health certification and government oversight for what would typically be non-prescribed milk and milk products. When required, these products become prescribed under export legislation and must meet all export and importing country requirements. This includes the products being manufactured and stored at an export registered establishment and having a valid export permit and health certificate for each consignment. Guidance on export registration can be found at Dairy export registered establishments.

5.1.1 Health certificates for milk and milk products

For milk and milk products produced for human consumption (including milk and milk products classified as a prescribed good by an importing Country), use health certificate template ZDIN01 with endorsement 9900.

Prior to requesting an export permit with the Department, exporters are advised to check with their importer that the dairy products being exported are eligible for entry into India, and will comply with the conditions stipulated on their import permit.

ZDIN01 Dairy Health Certificate available in NEXDOC

The ZDIN01 Certificate contains the following attestations:

I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the conditions or restrictions applicable under the particular inspection system prescribed under the Export Control Act have been complied with in respect of the prescribed good described above, being goods that are:

1. In sound condition
2. Fit for human consumption
3. Of Australian origin.

Endorsement 9900 contains the following attestations:

The undersigned Official Veterinarian certifies that the product(s) described above satisfies the following requirement.

1a. The source animals have never been fed with feeds produced from meat or bone meal including internal organs, blood meal and tissues of ruminant and porcine origin materials except milk and milk products.

1b. The milk product has not been manufactured using animal rennet.

2a. The milk has been processed (including destruction of FMDV) to make it fit for human consumption as recommended by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). Human consumption is the intended purpose of the milk product.

2b. The milk has been processed to a temperature which ensures destruction of organisms causing Tuberculosis, Listeriosis, Para tuberculosis, Q fever and Brucellosis.

2c. The animals from which the milk has been derived were not exposed to Bovine Growth Hormones (BGH)/ Bovine Somatotropin Hormones (BST).

2d. The source animals were not subjected to estrogenic treatment in last 90 days.

2e. The milk and milk products do not contain preformed bacterial toxins such as those produced by bacteria belonging to Staph. aureus, Bacillus cereus, Clost. perfringes and Clost. botulinum.

3a. The above-mentioned products comply with the Australian Export legislation which has been deemed to provide equivalent outcomes to India's Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the rules and regulations made thereunder.

3b. The products have been manufactured at establishments approved by the Australian Government competent authority to export to India.

3c. The milk does not contain drug, pesticides, heavy metal residues, mycotoxins, antibiotics and additives above the limits prescribed by Australian legislation.

3d. The products were produced under programs which minimise pathogenic microorganisms and meet the required outcomes.

3e. Production, packing, storage, and transportation of these products has been done in a sanitary manner pursuant to Australian export legislation and Australian standards and implemented within the context of HACCP systems where appropriate.

3f. The products have been subject to regular inspections and monitoring in accordance with Australian standards and legislation and the rules and regulations made thereunder.

Transit Certification Requirements

Milk and milk products transiting the European Union or the United States may require transit documentation. These certificates are available as additional certificates through the NEXDOC system. If the product is transiting the United States, standard certification is required and the exporter should contact the Department Dairy Program for advice on how this certification may be issued. If the product is transiting a European Union member state, see the particular European Union member state regarding the certificate template to select.

For Manufacturing Grade milk and milk products, use the ZD016 Certificate as to Condition for Manufacturing Grade products.

The ZD016 Certificate as to Condition contains the following attestations:

I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the conditions or restrictions applicable under the particular inspection system prescribed under the Export Control Act have been complied with in respect of the prescribed good described above, being goods that are:

1. In sound condition
2. Of Australian Origin

Endorsement 3335 – DAIRY – INDIA stockfood and manufacturing grade product

The milk from which this product has been made has been processed to a temperature, which ensures the destruction of organisms causing Tuberculosis, Brucellosis, listeriosis, paratuberculosis, Q-fever and any toxic substances. Australia is free of Bovine Brucellosis and Bovine Tuberculosis. Animals from which the milk has been derived were not treated with Bovine Growth Hormones (BHG) and Bovine Somatotropin Hormones (BST). Based on the results of the Australian Milk Residue Analysis survey it can be stated that milk does not contain residues of veterinary drugs, pesticides, heavy metals and mycotoxins above the internationally accepted limits. The source animals have never been fed with feeds produced from internal organs, blood meal and tissues of ruminant origin.

The ZD001 Certificate as to Condition may be issued for technical products and pharmaceutical material.

The ZD001 Certificate contains the following attestations:

I certify to the best of my knowledge that the information on this form is true and correct in every particular details and that the product described above is of Australian origin and is acceptable for sale in Australia.

The ZD015 Certificate as to Condition for Stockfood can be issued for stockfood made from milk and milk products.

The ZD015 Certificate contains the following attestations:

I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the conditions or restrictions applicable under the particular inspection system prescribed under the Export Control Act have been complied with in respect of the prescribed good described above, being goods that are:

1. In sound condition
2. Of Australian Origin

Endorsement 3335 – DAIRY – INDIA stockfood and manufacturing grade product

The milk from which this product has been made has been processed to a temperature, which ensures the destruction of organisms causing Tuberculosis, Brucellosis, listeriosis, paratuberculosis, Q-fever and any toxic substances. Australia is free of Bovine Brucellosis and Bovine Tuberculosis. Animals from which the milk has been derived were not treated with Bovine Growth Hormones (BHG) and Bovine Somatotropin Hormones (BST). Based on the results of the Australian Milk Residue Analysis survey it can be stated that milk does not contain residues of veterinary drugs, pesticides, heavy metals and mycotoxins above the internationally accepted limits. The source animals have never been fed with feeds produced from internal organs, blood meal and tissues of ruminant origin.

It is the responsibility of exporters to determine through their importers if export certification is required for consignments and trade samples that are less than 10 kilograms or 10 litres, as an export permit is not required.

The ZX01 Certificate as to Dioxin Status of Australian Dairy Products is available on request.

European Union (EU) transit certificates are available for consignments transiting the EU. Refer to the EU documentation requirements for edible products for the reference numbers and attestations in these certificates.

Exporters should ensure that their importer complies with any requirements to obtain a permit for imports into India.

Exporters are encouraged to verify requirements with their importers to confirm their products meet India’s importing country requirements regarding packaging. This includes those requirements set out in the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations 2018 (PDF 485 KB)​ and India’s Food Safety and Standards (Import) Regulations 2017 (PDF 883 KB).

Exporters are encouraged to work with their importers to ensure their product meets India’s importing country requirements regarding labelling. This includes those requirements set out in India's Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations 2020 (PDF 2.3 MB) and India’s Food Safety and Standards (Import) Regulations 2017 (PDF 1.08 MB)​.

FSSAI’s updated rectifiable labelling information regulation (PDF 495​ KB)​ advises all labelling deficiencies on imported food consignments may be permitted for rectification upon import, except for:

• Lot No/Code No/Batch identification
• Date Marking (Date of manufacture or packaging and Expiry/Use by/Best before)
• Country of Origin for imported foods​
  

India has no known specific requirements for shelf-life restrictions other than those provided in the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021.

India has no known specific requirements for shipping marks (port marks).

​India has no known additional refrigeration, transfer and load out requirements that differ to those required in the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021.