How to Import Fruits & Vegetables from Bangkok, Thailand:
When you ask a question, How to import fruits and vegetables from Bangkok, Thailand, the answer lies in simply following a set of rules and go ahead. Importing fruits and vegetables from Bangkok (Thailand) into India is a stringent and regulated process involving compliance with phytosanitary, safety, and customs regulations simultaneously. The key requirements include obtaining an Importer-Exporter Code (IEC), FSSAI license, and a Phytosanitary Certificate from Bangkok, Thailand.
Below is a guide based on Indian import regulations, that you can use to structure your procedures.
The key Regulations & set of Procedures for Importing from Thailand are:
Mandatory Registrations (India):
- Importer-Exporter Code (IEC): The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issues an Importer-Exporter Code, a unique identification number required for import and export from India. This code is the official license to start importing or exporting; it is a basic requirement, no matter how big or small your trade or business is.
- FSSAI License: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) license is mandatory. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India issues a mandatory 14-digit FSSAI license.The license applies to food businesses. The authority ensures compliance with food safety regulations. The authority ensures compliance with quality standards.
- APEDA Registration: Registration with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is necessary for importing agricultural products.
First, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority issues APEDA certification. Moreover, this certification is mandatory for Indian importers. Specifically, it applies to scheduled agricultural and processed food products. It acts as a Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC), that enables access to government subsidies, training programs, and global market promotions.
PhytoSanitary Requirements For Fruits Imports:
- Phytosanitary Certification: Phytosanitary requirements for fruits imports are a must when it comes to importing Fruits and certain vegetables from Bangkok, Thailand.The Department of Agriculture in Thailand issues this certificate.It certifies that the produce or product is free from pests and, if required, treated with fumigation. A National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) issues a Phytosanitary Certificate as an official document. It confirms that plants, plant products, or regulated items meet the importing country’s requirements. They also ensure that they are free from quarantine pests. It is mandatory for international trade of agricultural goods to prevent the spread of detrimental pests and diseases.
- Certificate of Origin: Certificate of Origin certifies that goods in a shipment are wholly obtained, produced, manufactured, or processed in a particular country. The Certificates of Origin are of two types:
(a) Preferential – They are derived from reciprocal Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) or non-reciprocal Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs), they grant preferential/duty-free treatment to qualifying goods.
b) Non-Preferential – They derive these from the trade partner country’s national legislation and use them to implement trade remedies and other trade restrictions when MFN duties are applied. Non-Preferential CoOs do not provide any tariff preference.
(c) Commercial Invoice & Packing List – This gives a detailed detailed description of goods, quantity, and weight. It is a properly complete commercial invoice and packing list. First, the shipment’s commercial invoice forms part of the documentation. You submit this documentation to make a customs declaration. Complete this process when importing goods. It shows the number of products you are shipping, as well as their value.
Import Documents for Thai fruits & Vegetables:
Air Waybill or Bill of Lading: These are crucial documents required to import fruits. Importers use these documents to import fruits such as mangosteen, Nam Dok Mai mangoes, rambutans, longan, and salak. Thailand also exports other popular products, including coconut, papaya, and pineapple. Thailand further exports fresh vegetables such as asparagus, okra, chili peppers, and lemongras. Firms like Siam Fresh Enterprise widely export these fruits and vegetables. A bill of lading is one of them. It is the legal document of title which allows the person holding it to claim the ownership of the cargo. Firstly, the bill of lading serves as evidence of a carriage contract. Additionally, it details the responsibilities of the carrier. Moreover, it explains the roles of the parties involved in the transportation of the cargo.
- A bill of lading must accompany shipped goods and an authorized representative must sign for the carrier, shipper, and receiver.
- The Three types of bills of lading include straight bill of lading, order bill of lading, and bearer bill of lading.
- Legally binding under maritime law, a bill of lading is a pre-requisite for international trade.
Customs Clearance Process in India:
- Import Permit: An import permit is an official, government-issued document authorizing legal import of specific goods, and ensuring compliance with safety, and regulatory standards.
In India, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) manages restricted items. Meanwhile, specialized agencies manage specific goods, such as plants and animals. Additionally, Falcon acts as a comprehensive customs clearing agent for fruits and vegetables imported from Bangkok. Moreover, Falcon provides specialized handling along with end-to-end transportation services.Visual Inspection & Sampling: Visual inspection and sampling form a crucial, non-destructive quality control process, using naked eye or tools to detect surface defects like cracks, corrosion, or contamination in products and materials. This procedure ensures safety across industries. This procedure ensures standards compliance across industries. It probes representative samples instead of inspecting every item.This approach saves time compared to 100% inspection.
FSSAI Clearance for Imported Fruits and Vegetables
First, importers must obtain FSSAI clearance and other certifications.These are necessary for importing fresh fruits such as Coconut, Pineapple, Papaya, Tamarind, and Litchi. Vegetables such as Asparagus, Okra, Chili Pepper, Lemongrass, Ginger, Galangal, Coriander, Thai Basil, Pea Eggplant, and Morning Glory. Assorted curry pastes as well.
Some of the service that we offer:
”fssai clearance for food imports”
”Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)”
- No Objection Certificate (NOC): A Authorities such as the Ministry of Steel or DGFT issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for imports in India as a mandatory document, confirming compliance for importing specific goods, particularly when they are exempt from standard regulations or restricted. It helps prevent customs delays for items like steel that are not covered by BIS standards.
- Labelling Requirements: These regulations prescribe the labelling requirements for pre-packaged foods and require the display of crucial information at premises where food is manufactured, processed, served, and stored.
- First, these regulations shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.Next, the Food Business Operator shall comply with all the provisions of these regulations.This compliance shall take place after one year from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette. However, for Chapter-3 of these regulations, the Food Business Operator shall comply by 1st January, 2022.
All imported packaged food must have labels in English, including name of the product, country of origin, importer’s name/address, FSSAI logo, and license number.
Conclusion
Falcon Imports (operating under various entities like Falcon Freight and Falcon International Co.) facilitates imports of fruits and vegetables by providing end-to-end, temperature-controlled logistics, specialized FSSAI customs clearance, along with global sourcing services. They specialize in handling perishable goods from origin to the last destination to ensure freshness. Importing fruits and vegetables from Bangkok (Thailand) to India provides highly lucrative opportunities due to high demand for foreign produce, such as mangosteen, durian, and dragon fruit. However, the process is complex, involving stringent compliance with phytosanitary standards, refrigeration requirements, and customs clearance procedures. Falcon Freight (specifically Falcon Freight Logistics or Falcon International Co.) acts as a crucial partner in this sector, providing end-to-end logistics solutions, including refrigerated transport, customs clearance, and regulatory compliance to ensure that perishable goods arrive fresh and in time.
Phone No. :- +91 9311595648
Email:- [email protected]
Phone No. :- +91 9311595648
Email:- [email protected]
