Imp Sup No-13/2006
Exp Sup No-13/2006

PUBLIC NOTICE No.-30/2006 Date : 08.06.2006

Sub:- Import of consignments of plants and plant products-reg.
Attention of all the members of trade, CHA & others concerned is invited to the contents of letter from Ministry of Finance ( Deptt. Of Revenue) F.No-450/11/2006-Cus.IV dated 25th January, 2006 which is extracted below for necessary compliance:

“Ministry of Agriculture ( Department of Agriculture & Co-operation) has informed that the Import of plant/plant products into the country is regulated under the provisions of the Plant Quarantine ( regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003 in order to prevent the ingress of exotic pests & diseases that may adversely affect the agriculture. Therefore, the import consignments of plants and plant products have to be inspected by the Plant Quarantine Authorities to verify the absence of infestation of the pests & diseases before being cleared for release by customs. However, there have been instances where Customs officials have released the import consignments of garlic and other agricultural commodities imported from China and other countries without reference to the Plant Quarantine Stations. Such action could lead to the inadvertent introduction of dangerous quarantine pests into the country and also result in loss of revenue that would otherwise have been realized through Plant Quarantine inspection and treatment of the imported consignments. The matter has gained importance since Department of Agriculture & CO-operation has stopped issuing any more permits for the import of garlic from China with immediate effect due to repeated interceptions of the Embellisia allii, a fungus that could adversely affect the indigenous production of garlic and garlic group of crops.

In view of above, it is reiterated that release of any import consignment of plants and plant products, including garlic, should not be done without prior clearance of the plant Quarantine authorities.”

(N. SASIDHARAN)
COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS (GENERAL)

F.No. S/23-86/06 (T.S.)

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