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What is Food Import Clearance System (FICS)?

The Food Import Clearance System (FICS) is an online system to enable importers to seek No Objection Certificates (NOC) for imported food items. It is a 100% online system.

How to apply for Custom Clearance?

• The importer has to file an application for clearance of consignment with the Department of Custom for Bill of Entry (BOE) generation at customs ICE GATE on Single Window Interface for Facilitating Trade (SWIFT).
• To expedite the clearance process of imports, Risk Management System(RMS) has been introduced under Single Window Interface for Facilitating Trade (SWIFT) by Department of Customs which scrutinizes the application and if the sampling is required; the BOE is referred to FSSAI in online Food Import Clearance System (FICS) or else cleared through green channel.
• FSSAI has mapped a total of 1470 ITC-HS Codes pertaining to articles of food or food additives with the Customs-ICE GATE (Annexure-1). These HS Codes has been subdivided into High Risk and Low Risk food items based on the risk of the food safety. Further, dual use items have also been identified and if end use of food then the duel use items are referred to FSSAI for clearance.
• The High Risk categories includes:
  • Meat & Meat Products
  • Fish & Fish Products
  • Egg & Egg Products
  • Milk Powders
  • Condensed Milk
  • Milk cereal based Weaning Food
  • Infant Food
  • Infant Formulae
  • Fats in any form except edible vegetable fat
  • Cocoa Butter Equivalent or substitute
• In case of high risk food items from the same country of origin and same importer, 100% sampling and testing is done for the first five consecutive consignments. If all the samples are in conformance to the standards laid down under FSS Regulations, then 25% sampling for next 20 consignments is done. If the samples are cleared in all cases, 5% sampling in all subsequent consignments is done. In case of sample is failure at any stage, the complete history of the importers becomes zero and consignments are then again subject to 100% sampling and testing.
• In case of low risk food items from the same country of origin and same importer, 100% sampling and testing done for first five consecutive consignments. If all samples are in conformance to the standards laid down under FSS Regulations, then 5% sampling in all subsequent consignments is done. In case of sample is failure at any stage, the complete history of the importers becomes zero and consignments are then again subject to 100% sampling and testing.

How to register in FICS?

• Importer needs to be register online on FICS.
• After the custom clearance and thereafter accepted by Authorized Officer(AO).
• After acceptance by AO, the application is visible in the importer’s login in FICS.
• The importer then files the required supporting documents in FICS.
• For any problem faced in applying in FICS, importer can contact to respective FSSAI Regional office.

Documents required for FSSAI Clearance:

• Ingredient List
• Specimen copy of label
• End use declaration
• Bill of Entry
• Country of Origin Certificate
• FSSAI Central License for Import 

Additional Documents (If applicable):

• Product Approval from FSSAI
• Form II-Approval for Non-specified Food and Food Ingredients
• Certificate of Analysis (COA) from country of origin (In case of proprietary food)
• Commercial invoice cum packing list and stuffing list
• Declaration and undertaking from importer

Scrutiny of Documents:

• The Authorized Officer (AO) of FSSAI scrutinizes the submitted documents, if the documents are found to be in order, the AO asks importer to deposit the fees online.
• After confirmation of payment, the authorized officer (AO) fixes the appointment with importer for the inspection of the consignment at the port.

Visual Inspection Process:

• The AO or his authorized Representative (TO) inspect the consignment to ensure that the food items have been transported or stored in optimal storage conditions of temperature and hygiene. The Visual inspection of the consignment will include:
  • Physical condition of the consignment
  • Valid self life of the product
  • Compliance of the FSS (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011
• The AO can re-inspect the consignment, if required.

Sampling Process:

• On visual inspection, If everything found satisfactory, 2 samples are taken and sealed in the presence of importer
• 1st Sample labelled and marked for notified laboratory and 2nd sample is kept in storage for referral laboratory, if required
• One of the sealed and labeled food sample is sent to FSSAI notified accredited laboratory. The second food sample must be stored in appropriate conditions for retesting in the referral laboratories.
• The analysis done by FSSAI for the food items are on different parameters as stipulated under various FSS Regulations.

Laboratory Analysis:

• The sample of the imported food product is forwarded to the notified laboratory that is auto selected in the Food Import Clearance System (FICS).
• The samples of imported food sent by Authorized Officer are analyzed by the laboratory as per parameters defined in FSS Act and the Regulations thereunder.
• The laboratory must complete the analysis and upload the test report in FICS in Form 2 of the FSS (Import) Regulations, 2017 with in five days of receipt of the sample with conclusive opinion about the product tested as confirming or non-confirming.

Issue of No Objection Certificate Report:

• If the sample are found confirming then No Objection Certificate (NOC) is generated in Form 3 of the FSS (Import) Regulation, 2017 and if the sample found not confirming then non-confirming report is generated in Form 4 of the FSS (Import) Regulations, 2017 rejecting the clearance of food consignments. The same is communicated to customs through FICS.
• If the importer is not satisfied with the report of the notified laboratory, he has the option to apply for re-testing the sample by a referral Laboratory along with the deposit of the requisite testing fees. If so, the authorized officer shall send the second sample for re-testing to the designated referral laboratory. The report of analysis issued by the Referral Food Laboratory shall be final.
• If the first sample is found confirming, the applicant can apply to get back the second sample with in a period of 15 days after receipt of NOC.

Download and Read

• FSSAI Import Regulations
• Manual Food Import
• Compendium Food Import Regulations
• FAQs Food Import to India.

Should you need more information, How to Import Food ? FSSAI Central License, How to become-Importer of Food, FSS Regulation, Eligibility Criteria for Importer, Documents to Apply for FSSAI License, Appeal Procedure etc.  Chat with us ASK THE EXPERT.