Sanitary Import Permit (SIP), Fully Managed by Experts
Get your Sanitary Import Permit from the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying before your livestock products ship — handled end to end. We check that the product and origin country are importable, match India’s sanitary requirements, file on the National Single Window System and answer every departmental query.
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Sanitary Import Permit (SIP) in brief
Who it applies to, what it costs, how long it takes and which law governs it — before the details.
A Sanitary Import Permit (SIP) is issued by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) under Section 3A of the Livestock Importation Act, 1898 before livestock products — such as dairy products, meat and meat products, eggs, pet food and other animal-origin items listed in notification S.O. 2666(E) dated 17 October 2014 — can be imported into India. DAHD describes it as not a licence but a certificate of India’s sanitary requirements, issued after import risk analysis. It must be obtained before the goods are shipped from the exporting country. Applications are filed online on the National Single Window System (NSWS), for trading & marketing or personal consumption, and a permit is valid for three months to one year depending on the product.
- Professional Fee
- Custom quote
- Governing Law
- Livestock Importation Act, 1898
- Validity
- 3 months to 1 year
- Mode
- Fully Online (NSWS)
- Authority
- DAHD, Govt of India
- Govt Fee
- User charges at actuals
- Clearance
- AQCS quarantine check
- Prerequisite
- Valid IEC (trade)
- Act
- Livestock Importation Act, 1898
- Notification
- S.O. 2666(E), 17 Oct 2014
- Permit
- Sanitary Import Permit
- Authority
- DAHD / AQCS
- Platform
- NSWS
- Last Reviewed
- 23 Sep 2026
What Is Sanitary Import Permit (SIP)?
A quick, plain-language explanation before the details.
Before you import animal-origin products, the Government checks that they will not bring animal diseases into India. The Sanitary Import Permit sets out the health conditions your overseas supplier must certify, and lets the goods be cleared by animal quarantine on arrival.
Import of livestock products is regulated under Section 3A of the Livestock Importation Act, 1898. DAHD notification S.O. 2666(E) dated 17 October 2014 specifies the livestock products covered and the import procedure, including the requirement of a Sanitary Import Permit issued after import risk analysis.
Issued by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying. Consignments are inspected and cleared by Animal Quarantine & Certification Services (AQCS) stations at the permitted ports.
A SIP is valid for three months to one year depending on the nature of the product, and may be used for multiple consignments within that period, subject to its conditions.
Is This Service Right for You?
Ideal for
- Importers of dairy products — cheese, butter, milk powder and whey
- Importers of meat, meat products and processed animal-origin foods
- Pet food importers bringing in products with animal-origin ingredients
- Food manufacturers importing animal-origin ingredients
- Hotels, restaurants and distributors sourcing imported livestock products
- Individuals importing livestock products for personal consumption
You may need this if
- Your product is a livestock product under S.O. 2666(E)
- Your supplier needs India’s sanitary requirements for the health certificate
- Customs or AQCS is asking for the SIP at the port
- You are adding a new product, supplier country or plant
- Your existing SIP is close to expiry or needs a corrigendum
- You also need FSSAI import clearance for the same food product
Not sure if you need this?
Talk to an Expert →Why Is a Sanitary Import Permit Essential?
For livestock products, the SIP is the gateway to animal quarantine clearance. Without one issued before shipment, your consignment cannot be cleared. Here is why it matters.
Talk to an Import Permit Expert →Required Before Shipment
The permit must be obtained before the goods leave the exporting country. Shipping first and applying later is not an option.
Animal Health Protection
The SIP sets the sanitary conditions — disease freedom, processing and certification — that protect Indian livestock from imported disease.
Guides the Health Certificate
Your supplier’s veterinary health certificate must match the conditions in the SIP. A mismatch can stop clearance at the port.
Quarantine Clearance
AQCS inspects the consignment and documents against the SIP at the permitted port before releasing the goods.
Multiple Consignments
Within its validity, a SIP may be used for multiple consignments, which helps importers plan repeat shipments.
Supplier & Buyer Confidence
A valid SIP shows overseas suppliers and Indian buyers that your import is compliant from day one.
Simple, Transparent Pricing
Custom quote for your case
Fees depend on your business type and scope. Get a clear, itemised quote upfront — no hidden professional charges, government fee billed at actuals.
Who Can Apply?
Eligibility checklist
- The product is importable from the chosen country under current rules
- A valid IEC for commercial (trading & marketing) imports
- Full product description, composition and processing details
- Exporting country, supplier and processing plant details
- An NSWS account with PAN verification and digital signature
- FSSAI import clearance planned where the product is food
Everything You Need. One Professional Team.
Importability Check
Confirm the product is a livestock product under the notification and importable from your source country.
Category Selection
Choose the right SIP category — trading & marketing or personal consumption.
NSWS Setup
Set up the NSWS business profile, PAN verification and digital signature.
Document Review
Check product, ingredient, plant and supplier documents before filing.
Online Application
File the SIP application on NSWS and pay the user charges online.
Query Handling
Respond to DAHD queries and requests for additional documents.
Permit Delivery
Download and share the SIP so your supplier can align the health certificate.
Corrigendum & Repeat Imports
Request corrigenda and plan fresh permits for new products or expiry.
What You’ll Receive
What Documents Are Required for a Sanitary Import Permit?
Requirements are grouped by importer, product and origin details. DAHD may ask for more depending on the product. Keep clear scans (PDF/JPG) ready — everything is collected securely over WhatsApp or email.
Importer Details
Who is importing- Import Export Code (IEC) for commercial imports
- PAN, GSTIN and company / firm registration certificate
- Authorised signatory details with digital signature
- Identity proof for personal-consumption applications
Product Details
What is being imported- Product name, HS code, description and quantity
- Composition / ingredient list with animal-origin components
- Manufacturing and processing details (e.g. heat treatment)
- Label or product specification sheet
Origin & Supplier
Where it comes from- Exporting country and country of origin
- Supplier and processing plant name and address
- Plant registration / approval details in the exporting country
- Proforma invoice or purchase order
Apply before shipment
The SIP must be obtained before the goods are shipped from the exporting country. Share order details early so the permit is ready in time.
Ingredient-level detail
DAHD examines each animal-origin ingredient and how it was processed. A complete ingredient list with processing details avoids repeat queries.
Health certificate must match
Your supplier’s veterinary health certificate must certify the conditions stated in the SIP and India’s sanitary requirement for that product.
Use a permitted port
Livestock products are cleared only through notified ports with AQCS stations — for example Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
Don’t have all the documents?
We’ll identify what your case needs →How to Get a Sanitary Import Permit (Step by Step)
The application is filed online on the National Single Window System (NSWS).
Consultation & importability check
We confirm the product is a livestock product under the notification and importable from your source country.
NSWS profile setup
Register or verify your NSWS account, business profile, PAN and digital signature.
Document collection
Collect IEC, product, ingredient, plant and supplier documents over WhatsApp or email.
Online SIP application
File the Sanitary Import Permit application on NSWS in the right category and pay the user charges.
DAHD review & queries
We track the application and respond to Department queries and document requests.
Permit issued
On approval, we download the SIP and brief your supplier on the health-certificate conditions.
How Long Does a Sanitary Import Permit Take?
| Stage | Expected Time |
|---|---|
| Importability check, NSWS setup & document collection | Depends on document readiness |
| Online SIP application on NSWS | Filed after documents are complete |
| DAHD risk review, queries & permit issue | Subject to DAHD processing |
DAHD issues a SIP after examining import risk for the product and origin, so timelines vary by product type and completeness of documents. New products or new origin countries may take longer than repeat permits. Queries pause the clock until you respond — and the permit must be in hand before shipment.
Key Dates — At a Glance
| Frequency | What Is Due |
|---|---|
| Per Consignment | Ship only after the SIP is issued · Carry the matching veterinary health certificate · Clear through AQCS at a notified port |
| Before Expiry | Track the SIP validity period · Apply for a fresh permit for continuing imports · Plan shipments to arrive within validity |
| Event-Based | Request a corrigendum if permit details change · Apply afresh for a new product or origin · Update NSWS and IEC details on any change |
| Ongoing | Track DAHD sanitary requirement updates · Keep FSSAI import compliance current for food · Retain permits and certificates for audit |
Dates are indicative and may change with government notifications. Our team tracks every deadline so you never miss a filing.
Doing It Yourself vs TaxClue
Doing It Yourself
- Work out whether your product is a livestock product
- Check importability from your source country
- Set up NSWS with PAN and digital signature
- Assemble ingredient and processing details
- Respond to Department queries alone
- Brief your supplier on health-certificate conditions
- Risk goods shipped before the permit is issued
With TaxClue
- Expert confirms product coverage and origin
- Right SIP category chosen for you
- NSWS profile set up correctly
- Documents reviewed before submission
- Department queries answered by our team
- Supplier briefed on certificate conditions
- Permit timed ahead of shipment
Skip the guesswork.
Let an expert handle it →What happens next
Common Mistakes That Delay Your Application
TaxClue reviews your documents before filing to reduce avoidable errors.
What Compliance Applies After the SIP?
Per Consignment
- Ship only after the SIP is issued
- Carry the matching veterinary health certificate
- Clear through AQCS at a notified port
Before Expiry
- Track the SIP validity period
- Apply for a fresh permit for continuing imports
- Plan shipments to arrive within validity
Event-Based
- Request a corrigendum if permit details change
- Apply afresh for a new product or origin
- Update NSWS and IEC details on any change
Ongoing
- Track DAHD sanitary requirement updates
- Keep FSSAI import compliance current for food
- Retain permits and certificates for audit
Penalties & Consequences
What is at stake if you do not comply
- Consignment refused or detained without a SIP issued before shipment
- Clearance stalled where the health certificate does not match SIP conditions
- Goods routed through a non-notified port cannot be cleared
- Expired permit used for a new consignment
Regulatory Updates 2025–26
- Apr 2025: DAHD revised the user charges for processing SIP applications and AQCS accommodation charges; payment is made online on NSWS.
- Feb 2025: DAHD published the user guide for applying for SIP approval on the National Single Window System, including queries and corrigendum requests.
Why Businesses Choose TaxClue
CA / CS Team
Qualified professionals with hands-on import-permit and Customs experience.
Product-Level Detail
We map every animal-origin ingredient and processing step before filing.
Always Updated
We monitor DAHD notifications, sanitary requirements and NSWS changes.
Fully Online
Everything over WhatsApp / email — no office visits required.
Transparent Fees
A clear quote upfront — government fees at actuals, zero hidden charges.
Post-Service Support
Guidance on corrigenda, repeat permits and FSSAI import clearance.
Your Documents Deserve Professional Care
- Documents handled by professionals under confidentiality
- Access limited to the team working on your file
- Communication over secure digital channels
- Documents retained only as long as needed for compliance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Sanitary Import Permit?
Under which law is the SIP issued?
Which products need a SIP?
When should I apply for the SIP?
How long is a SIP valid?
Where is the SIP application filed?
What are the SIP categories?
What is the government fee for a SIP?
Is a veterinary health certificate needed?
Through which ports can livestock products be imported?
Is a SIP the same as FSSAI import clearance?
Can I change details on an issued SIP?
Do individuals need a SIP for personal imports?
Is an IEC required for a SIP?
Can TaxClue handle the complete SIP process?
Official Sources & Legal References
Every regulatory detail on this page is drawn from primary law and official government sources. Verify them directly:
- DAHD — Trade DivisionSanitary Import Permit rules, S.O. 2666(E), validity, ports and user charges
- DAHD — Sanitary requirements for livestock productsProduct-wise veterinary health certificate requirements
- User Guide — How to apply for SIP on NSWSApplication, queries, permit download and corrigendum on NSWS
- Form B — Permit to import livestock productsDAHD application format for trading & marketing imports
- National Single Window SystemPortal for filing central approvals including the SIP
Related Guides
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Get Your Sanitary Import Permit — Fully Managed
Expert-managed Sanitary Import Permit — importability check, NSWS filing, DAHD query replies and supplier briefing, end to end. Consultation, transparent fees, zero hidden charges.
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