Documents Required for Import Registration from India

To import goods into India, businesses and individuals must complete import registration and obtain necessary licenses. Below is a list of essential documents required for import registration:

1. Basic Import Registration Documents

✅ Import Export Code (IEC) – Mandatory for all importers, issued by DGFT.
✅ Goods and Services Tax (GST) Registration – Required for tax compliance.
✅ Business Registration Certificate – Depending on the business type:

• Proprietorship: GST Certificate/PAN Card

• Partnership Firm: Partnership Deed

• Company: Certificate of Incorporation (CIN), MOA & AOA
  ✅ PAN Card of Importer – Mandatory for taxation and financial transactions.
  ✅ Bank Account Details – Canceled cheque or bank statement.

Product Certificates Required for Import in India

Importing products into India requires various certificates and regulatory approvals based on the product category, industry standards, and government regulations. Below is a list of key product certificates used for import in India:

1. General Import Certificates (Mandatory for All Imports)

• Import Export Code (IEC) – Required for all imports, issued by DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade).

• Goods and Services Tax (GST) Registration – Required for taxation compliance and claiming input tax credit.

• Authorized Dealer (AD) Code Registration – Needed for foreign exchange transactions and customs clearance.

2. Product-Specific Import Certificates

A. Agricultural & Food Products

• FSSAI Import License – Required for importing food products, beverages, and dietary supplements. Issued by FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India).

• Phytosanitary Certificate – Mandatory for importing fruits, vegetables, grains, and plant-based products to ensure they are pest-free. Issued by the exporting country’s plant quarantine authority.

• Health Certificate – Required for importing meat, poultry, dairy, and seafood products to confirm food safety standards.

• Organic Certificate (NOP/NPOP) – Needed for importing organic agricultural products.

• AGMARK Certification – Required for spices, edible oils, and agricultural commodities.

B. Pharmaceuticals & Chemicals

• CDSCO Import License – Required for importing medicines, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals. Issued by CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organization).

• Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) – Required for importing hazardous chemicals and industrial solvents.

• Dangerous Goods Certificate (DGC) – Required for flammable, explosive, or hazardous chemical imports.

• REACH Compliance Certificate – Needed for chemical imports from the European Union (EU).

C. Electronics & IT Products

• BIS Certification (Bureau of Indian Standards) – Required for importing electronic goods, electrical appliances, and industrial products under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS).

• WPC (Wireless Planning & Coordination) Approval – Needed for importing wireless communication devices like mobile phones, routers, Bluetooth products, and RF equipment.

• ETA (Equipment Type Approval) – Required for wireless devices operating in unlicensed frequency bands.

D. Machinery & Industrial Equipment

• BIS Certification – Required for importing industrial equipment, electrical machinery, and engineering products.

• Type Approval Certificate – Required for importing vehicles, auto parts, and automotive components.

• Environmental Clearance (EC) – Needed for importing heavy machinery that may impact the environment.

E. Textile & Garment Imports

• Textile Committee Clearance – Required for importing fabrics, raw materials, and textiles to meet quality standards.

• Silk Mark Certificate – Required for silk imports to ensure authenticity.

• Oeko-Tex Certification – Ensures environmental safety for imported textiles.

F. Jewelry & Precious Metals

• Hallmark Certification – Mandatory for importing gold, silver, and other precious metals.

• Kimberley Process Certificate (KPC) – Required for importing rough diamonds to prevent conflict diamonds.

3. Shipping & Customs Clearance Certificates

• Bill of Lading (B/L) or Airway Bill (AWB) – Issued by the shipping line/airline to track imported goods.

• Certificate of Origin (COO) – Required for verifying the country of origin.

  • Preferential COO – Needed for imports under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)/Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) for tariff benefits.

  • Non-Preferential COO – Required for imports that do not fall under trade agreements.

• Packing List & Commercial Invoice – Required for customs clearance and taxation.

• Import Declaration Form (IDF) – Required for filing import details with Indian customs.

4. Environmental & Compliance Certificates

• EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) Certificate – Required for importing plastic packaging, electronic waste (e-waste), and batteries.

• RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) Certificate – Required for importing electrical and electronic equipment into India.

• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certification – Required for importing wood and paper-based products.

5. Religious & Specialty Product Certificates

• Halal Certification – Required for importing halal-certified food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals for Muslim consumers.

• Kosher Certification – Required for importing kosher food products for Jewish communities.

Who Needs These Product Certificates?

• Importers & Traders bringing goods into India.

• Customs Brokers & Freight Forwarders managing international shipments.

• Manufacturers & Distributors who rely on imported raw materials, components, or finished products.