Seed import compliance in India
Authorities reviewed 2026-10-23
Short answer
Plant-quarantine import permits are issued by the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage (PPQS) under the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003. Importers apply in advance for commodities listed in Schedules V and VI of the Order.
The PQ Order has been amended many times; use the current consolidated text and PQMS guidance for each crop and origin.
Responsible authorities and official sources
- PPQS — Import & Export Procedure
Advance import permit application for commodities in Schedules V and VI of the PQ Order, 2003.
- Plant Quarantine Management System (PQMS) — import guidelines
Online import permit issuance, inspection and clearance guidance.
- Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003 (Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare)
Legal text, including points of entry and import schedules.
Documents to prepare
- Check whether the crop's seed is listed in Schedule V or VI of the PQ Order and apply for the import permit before shipment.
- Phytosanitary certificate from the exporting country with any additional declarations stated on the import permit.
- Import through an approved point of entry listed in the PQ Order.
- Variety and seed-quality obligations under India's seed legislation: not reviewed here; confirm with the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
This is orientation, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm the current requirement with the authority for each crop, origin and shipment.
Next steps
- Start a seed sourcing request (qualified requests from USD 250,000)
- Seed price calculator (historical import unit values by HS code, not supplier prices)
- Seed import market map (UN Comtrade HS 1209 and HS 120991 imports by country, 2024)
- Seed, greenhouse and crop output journeys