Clearance of Food Consignments by Customs Officers
CBEC informs the field:
In SWIFT, the system automatically refers food-related consignments to the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) through an EDI linkage established between ICEGATE and the Food Import Clearance System (FICS) operated by FSSAI. This automatic reference of food consignments is done in respect of food imports to those locations where FSSAI has its offices. For the remaining ICES locations, the system generates instructions directing that 'Authorised Officers' may clear the consignment (wherever, such 'Authorised Officers' are present) and in other locations where 'Authorised Officers' are not present, the consignments may be referred to Port Health officers for an NOC.
As all 'Authorised Officers' may not be familiar with procedural requirements for the clearance of food-related import consignments. It is advised to organize training sessions on an ongoing basis to equip the authorised officers with the procedural and legal requirements relating to food safety. For this purpose, Commissioners of Customs are requested to contact the nearest offices of the FSSAI and organize in-house training within the Custom House.
CBEC Instructions in F.No.450/146/2015-Cus-IV., Dated August 31 2016