Sanitary Import Permit for Animal Husbandry and Dairy Products
As per Department of Animal Husbandry ,Importers of animal products in India are required to obtain a Sanitary Import Permit at the customs gate before bringing in any meat, meat products, eggs, milk products, pet food embryos, ova, or semen.
The Sanitary Import Permit is a document issued under Section 3 (a) of the livestock importation act 1898 authorising import of livestock and livestock products. It is not a licence but it communicates the sanitary requirement to be fulfilled by the exporting country before the entry of livestock product into India.
Traders can import the animal and animal products from the exporting country only through the seaports or airports of Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai. Fish products can be imported through the port of Vishakhapatnam and the seaport and airport of Kochi. Fish products from Bangladesh can be imported through the Land Customs Station at Petrapole. There is a high chance for livestock products to transfer foreign diseases from the exporting countries. The Sanitary Import Permit system intends to checklist the sanitary conditions mentioned and verified by the authorized veterinarian of the exporting country to control the risk of transfer of foreign diseases into the country.
Mandatory Documents required for SIP
- The Trader or the Importer willing to import livestock products from foreign countries meant for human intake should mention the purpose of the business to attain a license from the Food Safety Authority of India.
- A Copy of the FSSAI License should be enclosed with the application form.
- An elaborated description of the products should obtain a license from the Food Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) as per the requirement under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954.
SIP Application Procedure.
Traders or Importers can follow the below procedures to apply for the permit.
- The applicants should log into the SIP Portal by entering their ID, Password and Captcha image.
- Once the welcome page is opened, applicants should click the apply online option, fill in forms A or B, and enclose all the mandatory documents.
- After submitting all the documents, the application fee of Rs 300 should be paid through the online payment gateway of the portal.
- Once the application is processed and approved by the SIP authorities, it will be updated on the portal for the applicants to print their application copies.
- The Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries would send an email to the registered ID of the applicant in case of any insufficient information or documents. The applicant should rectify the error by logging into their account on the SIP Portal.
- Applicants with one IEC certificate can be registered only once and submit new applications with their already registered ID and Password.
- The applicant should register valid mobile numbers to retrieve their password through OTP.
- The applicants can alter the information entered in the portal whenever necessary and download the user manual for reference.
Validity of SIP
The permits validity varies depending upon the livestock products and from three months to one year. The importer can carry out as many shipments as required as per the SIP’s permitted quantity within the stipulated period. The Department may extend the validity of the Permit on request from the traders and the guidelines under which the Permit is given as follows :
- When transported through the seaport, the date prescribed in the Bill of Lading will be considered the imported date, and the expiry will be accounted for accordingly.
- When transported through the airport, the date of the relevant Airway bill provided represents the date on which goods left the last airport in the country and is considered the effective date of import.
- When transported from Land-locked countries, the date of despatch of goods by rail, road or other recognised modes of transport to the consignee in India through a consignment basis.
- When transported using Postal Parcel Services, the date of the Official stamping of despatch on the packet or despatch note.
- When transported through the Registered courier services, the date affixed on the courier receipt e-waybill will be regarded as the imported date.
- When transported using other multimodel transport , the date of handing over goods to the first carrier in a combined transport bill of loading will be considered the imported date.
Other conditions for SIP
- The Director-General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) must grant a license to the traders importing and exporting livestock and the livestock products listed as restricted under the government’s EXIM policy.
- The Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairy, and Fisheries must issue traders importing live animals a pre-import no-objection certificate and a quarantine and animal certificate.
- The Regional Officer/Quarantine Officer of the respective ports must grant permission for the importation of live animals, and importers must display a copy of the import license issued by the DGFT as well as the health certificate issued by the designated veterinarian for the boarding of livestock seven days before the boarding.
- Animals should be tested for exotic diseases in the exporting nations, and the results must be delivered to the port with the animals.
- The import permit may be revoked by the authorities without prior warning or information to the importer in cases where the importer violates laws and regulations.
Import Export Code
The Import Export Code is an essential document required to start import-export operations. The I.E., code must be obtained to export or import goods or services.IEC offers a wealth of advantages for business expansion. Indeed, since, I.E. Code registration is required, you must recognize its importance.
