FSSAI asks importers and customs brokers to declare the “NFG” qualifier in ICEGATE for non-food-grade items, so the Bill of Entry is not routed to FSSAI
FSSAI says a large number of Bills of Entry for non-food-grade items — especially goods with both food and non-food use under the same HSN code — are being routed to it for clearance. By a public notice dated 10 August 2026, it advises importers and customs brokers to declare the qualifier “NFG” while filing Bills of Entry under Single Window, so that the SWIFT system routes the entry correctly.
Key facts
In 30 seconds
- Public notice, File No. TIC-B02/1/2026-IMPORTS-FSSAI, dated 10 August 2026.
- Problem: Bills of Entry for non-food-grade items, particularly dual food/non-food use items under the same HSN code, are being routed to FSSAI.
- Importers and customs brokers may declare the qualifier “NFG” in ICEGATE to indicate non-food end use.
- Use of “NFG” in the SWIFT system enables correct PGA routing and prevents non-applicable Bills of Entry being referred to FSSAI.
- The notice says it is in line with the CBIC Customs Circular dated 22 April 2026 on declaration of non-food-grade items in Bills of Entry.
हिंदी में सार
FSSAI ने 10 अगस्त 2026 की सार्वजनिक सूचना में कहा है कि गैर-खाद्य श्रेणी (non-food grade) के सामान — ख़ासकर एक ही HSN कोड में खाद्य और गैर-खाद्य दोनों उपयोग वाली वस्तुओं — के बड़ी संख्या में Bill of Entry उसके पास क्लियरेंस के लिए आ रहे हैं। आयातक और कस्टम्स ब्रोकर Single Window में Bill of Entry भरते समय ICEGATE में “NFG” क्वालिफ़ायर घोषित करें, ताकि SWIFT प्रणाली सही रूटिंग करे। यह CBIC के 22 अप्रैल 2026 के कस्टम्स परिपत्र के अनुरूप है।
What FSSAI has said
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India regulates the import of food articles under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Food Safety and Standards (Import) Regulations, 2017. In a public notice dated 10 August 2026 (File No. TIC-B02/1/2026-IMPORTS-FSSAI), issued by its Trade and International Cooperation Division, it has flagged a routing problem at the import stage.
It has been observed, the notice says, that a large number of Bills of Entry pertaining to non-food grade items — particularly items having dual food/non-food use under the same HSN code — are being routed to FSSAI for clearance.
The fix: the “NFG” qualifier
| Point | What the notice says |
|---|---|
| What to declare | The qualifier “NFG”, to indicate non-food end use |
| Where | In ICEGATE, while filing Bills of Entry under Single Window |
| Who | Importers and customs brokers |
| What it does | Use of “NFG” in the SWIFT system enables correct PGA routing and prevents non-applicable Bills of Entry from being referred to FSSAI |
The notice “advises” importers and customs brokers to use the qualifier “for appropriate PGA routing/non-routing, as applicable”.
Link with the Customs circular
FSSAI states that this is in line with the Customs Circular dated 22 April 2026 issued by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs regarding declaration of non-food grade items in Bills of Entry. The notice does not give the circular’s number or reproduce its contents.
Who has been informed
The notice is addressed to all food importers and importer associations, all customs brokers and custom house agents, and — within CBIC — DG Systems, the Joint Secretary (Customs), ADG ICEGATE/SWIFT and ADG NCTC, Mumbai. It also goes to FSSAI’s Regional Directors, its Authorised Officers at ports of entry and all FSSAI notified laboratories. It issues with the approval of the Competent Authority.
What the notice does not say
It does not list the HSN codes or products concerned, does not set a date from which the qualifier must be used, and does not describe any consequence of a wrong declaration.
What importers should do
If you import an item that has both food and non-food uses under the same HSN code, and your consignment is for non-food end use, declare the qualifier “NFG” in ICEGATE when the Bill of Entry is filed under Single Window. The qualifier is meant to indicate non-food end use, so it should be used only where that is the case.
Questions and answers
What does “NFG” stand for in a Bill of Entry?
The notice uses “NFG” as the qualifier for Non-Food Grade items — it is declared to indicate non-food end use.
Why is FSSAI asking for it?
Because a large number of Bills of Entry for non-food grade items, particularly items with dual food/non-food use under the same HSN code, are being routed to FSSAI for clearance.
Where is the qualifier declared?
In ICEGATE, while filing Bills of Entry under Single Window. Its use in the SWIFT system enables correct PGA routing.
Is this linked to any Customs instruction?
FSSAI says the notice is in line with the Customs Circular dated 22 April 2026 issued by CBIC regarding declaration of non-food grade items in Bills of Entry.
Published 10 August 2026. Updated 7 October 2026. This report is for general information and is not professional advice. Read the source document before acting on it.