Food Import explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Regulation 7 lists imports that follow a different route from ordinary commercial clearance: personal use, imports for export production, diplomatic consignments, research and development, exhibitions, supplies for visiting sportspersons and food received as aid in a disaster. Each has its own conditions and, in several cases, a declaration in a numbered Form.
This article reads the text as amended up to 27 October 2025 (FSSAI Compendium Version VII dated 06.11.2025). FSSAI compendia are reference consolidations and the Gazette text prevails. Later notifications should be checked on fssai.gov.in.
The Regulations do not apply to a person bringing food for personal use, provided its value does not exceed the amount allowed by customs from time to time, with a declaration in Form 7. Customs need not refer food to the Food Authority for clearance if it is meant for listed purposes such as export, or captive use for production for hundred per cent export, subject to a Form 8 declaration; research imports need a licensed importer, a Form 9 declaration and no release into the domestic market. A person who breaks the conditions can be debarred from future concessions. Importers, exporters, exhibitors and delegations are affected. For licensing and clearance help see FSSAI import licence support.
Regulation 7(1) and (2): personal use
7(1) Nothing in the Regulations applies to a person bringing any article of food for his personal use, provided the value of the article shall not exceed the amount allowed by customs from time to time.
7(2) The person carrying the imported food for personal consumption shall submit the declaration in Form 7.
The value limit is set by customs and is not stated in these Regulations; none is quoted here.
Regulation 7(3): purposes where customs need not refer the food
Unless otherwise specified, the customs authority need not refer the imported food to the Food Authority for clearance if it is meant for:
- (a) export as per the extant instructions, and export-rejected or re-imported articles of food meant for re-export of the Government; or
- (b) (words substituted by the notification of 14 February 2022, footnote 4) articles of food, ingredients or additives imported by manufacturers or processors for their captive use or for production of value added products for hundred per cent exports; or consignments imported by firms or companies for use of their sister concerns or wholly owned subsidiary companies, to be used for hundred per cent export production, subject to a defined relationship agreement between the two entities and accompanied with a Sanitary/Health Certificate issued by the Competent Authority of an exporting country.
Explanation 1 (inserted by the notification of 7 February 2018, footnote 1): for clause (b), the importer shall declare in Form 8 to the Customs Department at the time of filing the bill of entry regarding the captive or end use, declaring that the food is meant to be used by the importer for hundred per cent export, or re-import for export again, and that no part shall be supplied for domestic consumption.
Explanation 2: the facility under clause (b) is not available to trading entities that do not import such items for their captive use, in view of the problems of traceability of end use.
An invented example: Neelkanth Exports manufactures biscuits only for export and imports an additive for its own production. Clause (b) can apply if the additive is for captive use for hundred per cent exports, with the Form 8 declaration at the bill of entry. A trading firm that imports the same additive to resell is outside the facility by Explanation 2.
Regulation 7(4): diplomatic and consular
The clearance of food imports shall be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963 (Article 50).
Regulation 7(5): research and development
Clearance for research and development may be allowed subject to: (a) the import being undertaken by a licensed Food Importer; (b) a declaration by the Food Importer in Form 9 that the food shall be used for that purpose only; and (c) the food not being released into the domestic market or used for test marketing or market research.
Regulation 7(6): exhibitions and tasting
The procedure for food imported for exhibition purposes is:
| Clause | Requirement |
|---|---|
| (a) | the exhibitor complies with the requirements specified by customs and declares this in Form 10 |
| (b) | the food importer submits a copy of the Registration, Licence or Food Safety certificate issued by the Authorised Agencies of the country of origin, if the food is for tasting |
| (c) | products on the DGFT's list of prohibited items for import, or specified by the Food Authority, shall not be imported for exhibition or tasting |
| (d) | all exhibition products bear an additional non-detachable label or sticker stating "For Exhibition purpose only" and "Not for sale" |
| (e) | the importer may affix the additional label in the custom-bonded warehouse if not already affixed |
| (f) | the importing exhibitor maintains bills of material of items imported, items consumed for tasting or destroyed, and items for re-export, and submits them on demand by the Authorised Officer |
| (g) | a placard stating "For Tasting Only" is prominently displayed at the exhibition |
| (h) | the unconsumed portion of opened food is destroyed after the exhibition by the importer as per the procedure |
| (i) | unopened and unconsumed food is re-exported in securely packed condition, under intimation to the Authorised Officer |
Regulation 7(7) to (9): sportspersons and delegations
7(7) The Food Authority may allow the clearance of food imports from a foreign country exclusively meant for consumption by the sportspersons of that country.
7(8) The quantity shall not exceed the bona fide requirements for captive use or consumption by the persons concerned for the duration of their stay or event, whichever is earlier, and the balance unconsumed food shall be re-exported to its country of origin by the authorised member of the delegation under intimation to the Authorised Officer.
7(9) The importer shall submit the declaration in Form 11 for clearance of the imported food consignment.
Regulation 7(10) and (11): consequences and disaster aid
7(10) The Food Importer or any person or entity concerned shall be debarred from any concessions or facilities in future, in addition to the consequences under the Act and the rules and regulations, in case of contravention of any of the conditions stated in these regulations.
7(11) Where any article of food is received without charge from other countries in a disaster or emergency anywhere in the country, its quality or safety shall be ensured through safety certificates issued by the competent authority of the donor country or agency.
The Forms in regulation 7
| Form | Used for |
|---|---|
| 7 | personal consumption declaration, 7(2) |
| 8 | captive or end use declaration for hundred per cent export, Explanation 1 to 7(3)(b) |
| 9 | research and development declaration, 7(5)(b) |
| 10 | exhibition declaration, 7(6)(a) |
| 11 | declaration for clearance of the imported consignment, 7(9) |
For a wider view of export and import compliance see food import and export compliance under FSSAI. The earlier articles in this series cover regulation 6 on labelling and the next covers storage and sampling.
Need help with a special-purpose import?
These routes rely on declarations, end-use records and re-export proof. Our FSSAI import licence service helps businesses plan these imports, and our FSSAI for exporters team helps with the export-linked records the Regulations expect.
Key takeaways
- Personal-use food is outside the Regulations if within the customs value limit, with Form 7.
- Captive use for hundred per cent exports can bypass referral to the Food Authority, with Form 8; trading entities cannot use the facility.
- Research imports need a licensed importer, Form 9 and no domestic release.
- Exhibition food carries "For Exhibition purpose only" and "Not for sale" labels, with tasting rules and re-export or destruction.
- Breach of conditions can lead to debarment from concessions.
Read next
- Regulation 6: labelling, packaging and shelf life of imported food
- Regulations 8 and 9: storage and sampling of imported food
- Food import and export compliance under FSSAI
- Importing food into India: FSSAI requirements
Disclaimer: Based on the FSSAI regulations named above as consolidated in FSSAI's compendium versions or as published in the Gazette, with the later notifications the article names (consulted on fssai.gov.in on 2-3 October 2026). Later notifications and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 provisions referred to should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.