Food Packaging Import Regulations in India: DGFT, Customs & BIS Requirements

India imports significant volumes of food packaging materials and finished packaging products -- from PET preforms sourced from China to speciality paper from Scandinavia to aluminium foil from the Middle East. But importing food packaging into India is not a straightforward transaction. It involves navigating multiple regulatory agencies, mandatory certifications, customs procedures, and food safety requirements that collectively determine whether your consignment clears the port or gets held up indefinitely.

This guide walks through the complete regulatory landscape for importing food packaging into India, with specific reference to the applicable laws, the agencies involved, and the documentation required at each stage.

Regulatory Agencies Involved

Unlike many product categories where a single agency handles import clearance, food packaging imports touch four distinct regulatory bodies:

Agency	Governing Law	Role in Food Packaging Imports
Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)	Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992	Import-export licensing; ITC-HS classification; trade policy restrictions
Customs (CBIC)	Customs Act, 1962; Customs Tariff Act, 1975	Duty assessment; physical examination; clearance
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)	BIS Act, 2016	Mandatory certification for products under compulsory registration
FSSAI	Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006	Food contact material compliance; food-grade certification

DGFT Import Policy for Food Packaging

The first step in importing food packaging is to verify the import policy for the specific product under India's Foreign Trade Policy. The DGFT classifies all goods using the ITC (HS) classification system and assigns each product an import policy status: Free (no restrictions), Restricted (requires a specific licence), or Prohibited (import not allowed).

Most food packaging materials fall under "Free" import policy, meaning they can be imported without a specific DGFT licence. However, certain categories require attention. Plastic articles for food contact (HS Chapter 39) are generally free for import but are subject to the Plastic Waste Management Rules, which restrict certain single-use plastic items. Paper and paperboard (HS Chapter 48) is free for import. Aluminium foil and articles (HS Chapter 76) is free for import. The importer must still hold a valid Importer Exporter Code (IEC) issued by DGFT, which is the basic registration for any import activity in India.

BIS Mandatory Certification for Imported Packaging

This is the area that catches most first-time importers off guard. Under the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018, products covered by mandatory Indian Standards cannot be imported without BIS certification. The foreign manufacturer must obtain a BIS licence through one of two schemes:

Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS)

Under FMCS, the foreign manufacturer applies to BIS for a licence to use the ISI mark. The process involves submission of an application with factory details and product specifications, testing of product samples at a BIS-recognised laboratory in India, factory inspection by BIS officers at the foreign manufacturer's premises, grant of licence upon successful evaluation, and annual surveillance through factory visits and market sample testing. The FMCS process typically takes 6 to 12 months and involves fees for application, testing, factory inspection (including travel costs for BIS officers), and annual licence charges.

Recognition of Foreign Certification

BIS has Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) with standards bodies in certain countries, which can simplify the certification process. However, coverage is limited and does not extend to all food packaging product categories.

Products Requiring Mandatory BIS Certification for Import

As of 2025, the following food-packaging-related products require BIS certification for import: packaged drinking water bottles (IS 14543/IS 15410), stainless steel utensils (IS 14756), and PET bottles for beverages (IS 15410). Additional categories are under consideration for mandatory certification, including plastic food containers and paper cups. Importers must monitor BIS notifications for new additions to the mandatory certification list.

FSSAI Requirements for Imported Food Packaging

Imported food packaging materials must comply with the same FSSAI Packaging Regulations, 2018 that apply to domestically manufactured products. This means the imported materials must meet migration limits (OML of 60 mg/kg, applicable SMLs), material composition requirements, the ban on recycled non-food-grade materials for direct food contact, and all FSSAI specific prohibitions.

The importer is responsible for obtaining and maintaining test reports demonstrating compliance. Testing can be conducted at a NABL-accredited laboratory in India using samples from the imported consignment, or the importer can present test reports from accredited laboratories in the exporting country, provided the test methods align with Indian Standards (IS 9845, IS 6615, etc.).

Customs Clearance Process

Step 1: Bill of Entry Filing

The importer (or their customs broker) files a Bill of Entry on the ICEGATE system with the correct ITC-HS classification code, CIF value declaration, and applicable duty rates.

Step 2: Customs Duty Assessment

Customs duty on food packaging imports comprises several components:

Component	Typical Rate (varies by product)
Basic Customs Duty (BCD)	10% to 15% (varies by HS code)
Social Welfare Surcharge	10% on BCD
IGST (Integrated GST)	18% (for most packaging products)
Anti-Dumping Duty (if applicable)	Varies; check for active notifications

Anti-dumping duties are particularly relevant for certain packaging products imported from China. The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has imposed anti-dumping duties on specific categories of plastic and aluminium articles in the past. Importers must check the current status of anti-dumping investigations and duties for their product category.

Step 3: Document Verification and Examination

Customs officers verify the submitted documents and may order physical examination of the consignment. For food packaging, additional scrutiny applies if the product falls under mandatory BIS certification -- the BIS licence of the foreign manufacturer must be presented. If the product is flagged for testing, samples may be drawn and sent to a government laboratory.

Step 4: Clearance

Upon satisfactory verification and payment of duties, an Out of Charge order is issued and the goods can be removed from the customs area.

Documentation Checklist for Importers

• Valid Importer Exporter Code (IEC) from DGFT
• Bill of Entry filed on ICEGATE with correct HS classification
• Commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading / airway bill
• Certificate of Origin (if claiming preferential duty under FTA)
• BIS licence certificate of the foreign manufacturer (for products under mandatory certification)
• Migration test report (IS 9845 or equivalent) from an accredited laboratory
• Material safety data sheet (MSDS) for the packaging material
• Food-grade certificate or declaration from the manufacturer
• Insurance certificate covering the shipment
• GST registration certificate of the importing entity
• EPR registration (if importing plastic packaging covered under EPR guidelines)

Common Import Challenges

HS Code Disputes

Classification disputes are the most common issue. Customs may classify a product under a different HS code than the one declared by the importer, resulting in a higher duty rate. For composite packaging (such as PE-coated paper), the question of whether it is primarily paper (Chapter 48) or plastic (Chapter 39) can lead to disputes. Maintaining an advance ruling from the Authority for Advance Ruling (AAR) on HS classification can prevent delays.

BIS Certification Delays

The FMCS process for foreign manufacturers can take up to 12 months. Consignments arriving before the BIS licence is granted will be held at the port. Some importers have faced demurrage charges running into lakhs of rupees because of BIS certification delays. Planning the certification process well in advance of the first import is essential.

Testing Failures on Import

If customs draws a sample for testing and the product fails to meet IS standards, the consignment can be rejected. The importer then faces the choice of re-export or destruction -- both at their cost. Pre-shipment testing at an accredited laboratory in the origin country, using Indian test methods and limits, virtually eliminates this risk.

Why Domestic Sourcing Often Makes More Sense

Given the regulatory complexity, cost of import duties, BIS certification requirements, and lead times involved in importing, many food businesses find that domestic sourcing of food packaging is more practical and economical. India has a mature food packaging manufacturing ecosystem, with domestic producers meeting international quality standards for plastics, paper, aluminium, and eco-friendly materials.

For wholesale buyers, sourcing from a domestic distributor like Success Marketing provides immediate availability without import lead times, pre-verified compliance with FSSAI and BIS standards, no import duty or customs clearance costs, GST-compliant invoicing with ITC eligibility, and local support for order modifications and returns. Browse our complete food packaging product range to see what is available domestically.