Complete process for Watermelon seeds

There are more than 800 different varieties of seeds and plants. It depends on which type of seeds or plants you are importing and also on the purpose of import like consumption, sowing or research.

Once you have decided what seeds you want to import, you should visit to plantquarantineindia.nic.in and just go through the information available to get familiar with the process. For importing seeds and plants in India, there is no clear process explained in this website and it looks very complex to understand and follow. Some of the information is very old and having many amendments which you need to find out.

Plant and quarantine order

Firstly, you have to download PQ order guidelines PDF file from the website. This file contains latest information and all the information required to import. Once you get this file still you need to understand what information is correct and how to follow it practically.

This article will explain you process of import of seeds for sowing.

Import Permit

Secondly, you need to check whether your seeds need import permit. Please check this amendment for import permit (Import Permit). You will not need import permit, if your seeds or plant material is mentioned in the schedule VI of the PQ order.

If your seeds or plant material in not mentioned in schedule VI then follow the procedure for getting import permit online at
plantquarantineindia.nic.in

PQIS Account registration

You need your IEC number and port of import as you have to mentioned in the website at the time of registration. You can find user manual for this website which explains how to file papers and get permit. Which is here (PQIS User Manual)

For your import you should select notified point of entry like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata or Chennai. As these ports or airports can custom clear all type of goods. Other than these places you have to check whether seeds you importing can be cleared.

Phytosanitary certificate

Once this is done, check botanical name of your seeds in PQ order and find out additional statement and special condition for import. Your will find a description of viruses, insects and weeds. Your seeds have to be free from these otherwise you will not get NOC and will not be able to clear goods easily. You have to check these before getting actual quotation from supplier as these viruses needs to be treated and which is a costly process.

Also your supplier will ask you for additional statement and special condition for import. If you do not know these, they will not supply you or will not take any responsibility of the goods. According to International plant protection convention, every country has their specified requirements for import and export of seeds.

Exporting country will provide phytosanitary certificate which certifies that particular seeds are free from viruses, insects or weeds mentioned as required for importing country.

Phytosanitary certificate picture

As shown in the above picture additional statement and special condition should be mentioned on the certificate. For this exporting company will do the chemical treatment on the seeds and issue the certificate.

Supplier will do the treatment for your seeds or plants which will take 2 to 3 weeks depending on type of material. Once this is done, a certificate is issued and you can import the material.

Post entry process

You have to fill in form6 or form12 on the plantquarantineindia.nic.in website in your account and pay online fees for PQ inspection. Once this is done, you can submit sample of your seeds or plant material for inspection along with form6 or form12.

Inspection will take 1 or 2 weeks depending on the type of seeds or plant material. If the seeds are found free from any problem than you will get NOC or Import release order. Now you can clear the goods from customs after submitting NOC.

In order to get more information, you must visit concerned plant and quarantine office.