India (IN)

From 1 February 2023, export registered processing establishments of fish and fish products (including registered vessels) to India are required to be registered (referred to the Department as listing) with the FSSAI.

To meet this requirement the Department has submitted a full list of export registered fish and fish product processing establishments (including registered vessels) to FSSAI for registration.

Exporters are encouraged to review FSSAI’s registration portal to confirm registration of each processing establishment prior to exporting product to India.

Fish products for human consumption

1.1 Establishment registration

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 fish and fish products for export, including fishing vessels where fish is prepared for export must be registered with the Department. For more information or assistance with the export registration process contact the Department's Dairy, Eggs and Fish program at dairyeggsfish@aff.gov.au.

Exceptions to establishment registration

Preparation of goods at an export registered establishment and an export permit is not required if you are exporting the following as these goods are not prescribed under the Export Control (Fish & Fish products) Rules 2021;

  1. liquid fish and liquid fish products exported in a consignment of not more than 10 litres;
  2. dried fish and dried fish products (other than dried abalone) exported in a consignment of not more than 2 kilograms;
  3. fish products where fish or fish products are not the major component;
  4. fish or fish products that are animal food or pharmaceutical material;
  5. fish or fish products not covered by paragraphs (a) to (d) (other than dried abalone) exported in a consignment of not more than 10 kilograms;
  6. fish or fish products in the form of a tablet or capsule;

Note

However, if India requires a government certificate for the entry of the above goods, a certificate can be issued by the Department – provided that the goods have been prepared in an export registered establishment.
 

1.2 Overseas listing

Initial listing procedure for fish products for human consumptionRequired?
Establishment listing for IndiaNo*
*In order to comply with regulations, export processing establishments must obtain registration with the FSSAI. This registration must be approved and published on the FSSAI registration portal. To commence the registration process for new fish export processing establishments (including registered vessels), please contact the Department at DairyEggsFish@aff.gov.au.

1.3 Prohibited products

The Department has no knowledge of fish or fish products that are prohibited for import to India. 
 

1.4 Access for fish products for human consumption

ProductAccess?
FinfishYes*
Bivalves (for example, oysters, scallops, mussels, oysters, clams, cockles)Yes*
Crustaceans (for example, crab, prawn, lobster, scampi, crayfish)Yes*
Echinoderms (for example, sea urchins, sea cucumber)Yes*
Gastropods (for example, abalone, periwinkles)Yes*
Cephalopods (for example, squid, cuttlefish, octopus)Yes*
Tunicates (for example, sea squirts)Yes*
CrocodileNo agreed certification
*Exporters should confirm the eligibility for import of live product to  India prior to export. Refer to section 6.1 for more information. 

2.1 Harvest

Sourcing of fish and fish products

India has no known specific requirements for sourcing of fish and fish products that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.

Sourcing, slaughter and post-mortem inspection of crocodiles

There is no agreed certification for the export of crocodile to India.
 

2.2 Microbial and residue sampling

India has no known additional requirements for microbial sampling of fish and fish products that differ from those required in the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.

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.

2.3 Operational requirements additional to Australia's export legislation

India has no known specific requirements for operational hygiene that differ from those required in the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.

2.4 Premises and equipment

India has no known specific requirements for premises and equipment that differ from those required in the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.

3.1 Live fish

Exporters should confirm the eligibility for import of live product to India prior to export. Refer to Section 1.3 and 6.1 for information.

India has no known additional requirements for the production of live fish that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.

3.2 Non-viable fish

India has no known specific requirements for the preparation of non-viable fish that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
 

3.3 Crocodile

There is no agreed certification for the export of crocodile to India.
 

3.4 Packaging

India has no known specific requirements for packaging that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.

3.5 Labelling

India's Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations 2020 (PDF 2315 KB)
 

India’s Food Safety and Standards (Import) Regulations 2017 (PDF 1010 KB)
 

Summary of FSSAI labelling requirements:

  1. Pre-packaged food or pre-packed food
     

    Information that must be provided on the label:

    • Name of food
    • List of ingredients (not required in case of single ingredient)
    • Nutritional information
       
    • Declaration regarding food additives
    • Name and complete address of the manufacturer
    • Net quantity
    • Lot/code/batch identification
    • Date of manufacture
    • Country of Origin for imported foods
    • Instructions for use
    • Declaration regarding food allergen
    • Best before or use by date or date of expiry
    • Vegetarian or non-vegetarian status logo1
    • Name and address of the importer
    • FSSAI logo and importer's license number2
       

1From 1 January 2022 all pre-packaged non-vegetarian foods, including those which contain ingredients such as food additives, processing aids of animal origin exported to India (including fish and fish products) must be identified with a symbol which consists of a brown colour filled triangle inside a square with brown outline. The symbol is pictured below:
 

  • Pre-packaged non-vegetarian symbol

Further information on India’s labelling requirements, including required dimensions for the above symbol, can be found in India's Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations 2020 (PDF 2315 KB).
 

 

2 The FSSAI logo and license number under the Act shall be displayed on the label of the food package in contrast colour to the background as below:

  • FSSAI Logo and license number

  1. Wholesale packages (including semi-finished/ intermediary food products which will be further processed to make final product and packed as pre-packaged/ prepacked food).
     

    Information that must be provided on the label:
     

    • Name of food
    • List of ingredients (not required in case of single ingredient)
    • Name and complete address of the manufacturer
    • Date of manufacture
    • Best before or use by date or date of expiry
    • Name and address of the importer
    • Importer's FSSAI license number


     

  2. Primary food

    Information that must be provided on the label:

    • Name of food
       
    • Name and complete address of the manufacturer
       
    • Date of packing
       
    • Name and address of the importer
       
    • Importer's FSSAI license number
       

Exporters should verify the labelling requirements with their importers prior to undertaking production/exports.

Definitions

According to India’s regulations:

  • A label is any tag, brand, mark, pictorial or other descriptive matter, written, printed, stencilled, marked, embossed graphic, perforated, stamped or impressed or securely affixed to the container, cover, lid or crown of any food package.
  • Stickers may only be permitted for making declarations (if not pre-printed on labels) of veg/ non-veg logo, name and address of the importer and FSSAI logo and importer’s license number.
  • Secondary sticker type labels may not be deemed to be acceptable.
  • Any package should have the best before date and packaging date as: date (day) / month / year on the label (Month and year may be used in numerals. The year may be given in two digits.
  • Expiry means the date, which signifies the end of the estimated period under any stated storage conditions, after which the product may not remain safe and the food product probably will not have the quality of safety attributes normally expected by the consumers and the food, shall not be sold or distributed for human consumption.
     

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

     

3.6 Shelf life

India has no known specific requirements for shelf life that differ from of the relevant Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.

4.1 Shipping marks

India has no known specific requirements for shipping marks that differ from of the relevant Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.

4.2 Refrigeration, transfer and loadout

India has no known specific requirements for refrigeration, transfer and loadout that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.

5.1 Import permit

Exporters should confirm with their importer if an import permit is required for their product.

5.2 Port of entry inspection and testing

The Department has no specific knowledge of port-of-entry inspection and testing for imports into India. Exporters should confirm requirements with their importer or agent.

6.1 Live fish

Exporters are encouraged to confirm requirements to obtain an import license from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) for the import of live product to India prior to export of their product. To confirm this, exporters can review the DGFT web portal. Go to “select your ITC(HS) Code/Product Selection” to find the import conditions for the specific live fish product by entering the Harmonised system (HS) code or description for the product. Where the import policy for the product is listed as “free” a DGFT import license is not required for the import of the product. Please note, any requirements to obtain an import permit and provide valid export certification still apply. Exporters are encouraged to work closely with their importer to ensure all import requirements for their product are met.

For live seafood, use an FX46 certificate with endorsement 3973.

The FX46 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 goods described above, being goods that are;

  1. In sound condition
  2. Fit for human consumption
  3. Of Australian origin
Endorsement 3973
 

These products have been processed in accordance with Codex Alimentarius Commission principles for Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) and relevant codes of hygienic practice.

In accordance with the inspection system regulated by the competent authority, these products are not contaminated with pathogenic micro-organisms of concern.

In accordance with the inspection system regulated by the competent authority and Australia's National Residue Survey for wild-caught fish and aquaculture, these products do not contain harmful or foreign substances or chemicals.

Australia maintains a system that meets OIE requirements for the notification of diseases and epidemiological information in aquatic animals.

6.2 Non-viable fish

For non-viable seafood, use an FX46 certificate with endorsement 3973. 
 

The FX46 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 goods described above, being goods that are;

  1. In sound condition
  2. Fit for human consumption
     
  3. Of Australian origin
     
Endorsement 3973

These products have been processed in accordance with Codex Alimentarius Commission principles for Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) and relevant codes of hygienic practice.

In accordance with the inspection system regulated by the competent authority, these products are not contaminated with pathogenic micro-organisms of concern.

In accordance with the inspection system regulated by the competent authority and Australia's National Residue Survey for wild-caught fish and aquaculture, these products do not contain harmful or foreign substances or chemicals.
 

Australia maintains a system that meets OIE requirements for the notification of diseases and epidemiological information in aquatic animals.

6.3 Crocodiles

There is no agreed certification for the export of crocodile to India. 
 

Fish products not for human consumption

1.1 Establishment registration

The Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021 does not regulate fish and fish products not for human consumption. Establishments processing such products are not required to be export registered with the Department unless it is a requirement of the importing country. Exporters are encouraged to confirm the eligibility and import requirements of their product with their importer, or directly with the importing country competent authority prior to export.

Importing countries may require a health certificate be provided for fish and fish products not for human consumption. If a health certificate is required, contact the Department's non-prescribed goods program at NPGExports@aff.gov.au for further information.

1.2 Overseas listing

Initial listing procedure for fish products not for human consumptionRequired?
Establishment listing for India
 		No

1.3 Prohibited products

The Department is not aware of any prohibited fish products. Additional information relating to fish and fish products not for human consumption may also be found on the corresponding Meat Micor page. Exporters should check with their importers to determine if the products are permitted for import to India.

1.4 Access for fish products not for human consumption

ProductAccess?
Aquaculture feedNo agreed certification
Animal feedNo agreed certification
Crocodile skins and hidesNo agreed certification
Technical products and pharmaceutical material (for example, fish oil capsule)No agreed certification
Rendered productsNo agreed certification
ShellsNo agreed certification
 

The Department is not aware of the requirements for animal feed. Additional information relating to fish and fish products not for human consumption may also be found on the corresponding Meat Micor page. Exporters should check requirements with their importer or the India competent authority prior to shipping any animal feed to India.

The Department is not aware of the requirements for crocodile skins and hides. Additional information relating to fish and fish products not for human consumption may also be found on the corresponding Meat Micor page. Exporters should check requirements with their importer or the India competent authority prior to shipping any rendered products to India.

The Department is not aware of the production requirements for rendered products. Additional information relating to fish and fish products not for human consumption may also be found on the corresponding Meat Micor page. Exporters should check production requirements with their importer or the India competent authority prior to shipping any rendered products to India.

The Department is not aware of the production requirements for technical grade and pharmaceutical products. Additional information relating to fish and fish products not for human consumption may also be found on the corresponding Meat Micor page. Exporters should check production requirements with their importer or the India competent authority prior to shipping any technical products or pharmaceutical material to India.

11/01/2024 - Updated rectifiable labelling information (section 3.5).
20/10/2023 - Updated changes in live fish importation to India (sections 1.3, 1.4, 3.1 and 6.1).
14/08/2023 - Updated residue statement to refer to importing country standards (section 2.2).
20/06/2023 - Content on this page may have changed location to conform to standard Fish headings.