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    Know India's food rules before you ship.

    Know the rules for food trade in India before you ship.

    A ripening rice paddy field lined with palm trees.
    India is one of the founding T57 markets, with deep supply in rice, spices and pulses.

    T57's regulatory guide summarizes the main bodies, documents and rules for food trade in India, and shows on each trade what is required.

    The challenge

    The challenge

    Food shipments are held at borders every day because of a missing certificate, a wrong label or an unregistered product. Rules differ by country and by product, and they change. The key challenges T57 addresses include:

    Complex requirements

    Different documents for each product and destination.

    Changing rules

    Requirements are updated often.

    Costly mistakes

    Errors mean delays, rejections and spoiled goods.

    Key bodies and rules in India

    Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)Importer Exporter Code (IEC) for anyone who imports or exports.
    APEDA and other export promotion councilsRegistration for exporters of scheduled agricultural and processed food products.
    Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)Food business licensing and clearance of food imports.
    Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage (PPQS)Phytosanitary certificates for plant products.
    Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC)Customs clearance through ICEGATE, and GST, including e-invoicing for eligible businesses.
    Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023Governs personal data.

    How T57 helps you comply

    1. 01

      Requirement checklists

      On each trade, T57 lists the documents needed for the product and destination.

    2. 02

      Document checks

      AI flags missing or mismatched documents for a person to review.

    3. 03

      Certificate tracking

      Licenses, halal and health certificates are tracked with expiry alerts.

    4. 04

      Partner support

      Customs brokers and inspectors connected to the trade record.

    FAQ

    Common questions

    Is this guide legal advice?

    No. It is a summary to help you prepare. Always confirm requirements with the relevant authority or your customs broker.

    How often is the guide updated?

    T57 reviews it regularly.

    Can T57 handle customs clearance for me?

    T57 connects you with licensed customs brokers, who handle clearance on the shared trade record.

    Know the rules for food trade in India before you ship.

    Get started

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