CBIC Issues New Instruction for Quality Control and Inspection Prior to Milk Product Export [Read Order]

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), vide instruction no. 01/2024 vide 10th January 2024, based on reports of variations in practices related to the certification requirements, issued an instruction on requirement of quality control or inspection or both, prior to export as per Milk and Milk Products (Quality Control, Inspection & Monitoring) Rules, 2020.

The Board, in consultation with the Department of Commerce (DoC) and the Export Inspection Council (EIC), has thoroughly examined the matter. It is important to note that the definition of milk and milk products, as per SO 4031 (E), specified that "milk" refers to the normal mammary secretion obtained from a complete milking of a healthy milch animal, free from colostrum. Additionally, "Milk Product" is defined as a product derived from the processing of milk, which may include food additives and other ingredients essential for the milk product.

In accordance with the Order dated November 09, 2020, under the Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963, as specified in S.O 4031(E) and the subsequent order dated December 29, 2023 (enclosed herewith), it is stated that milk and milk products must undergo quality control or inspection, or both, before export. However, the requirement for a Health certificate arises only if the importing country has specific stipulations for the same.

It is further mentioned that as per Rule 4. (1) of Export of Milk Products (Quality Control, Inspection and Monitoring) Rules, 2020

“An exporter intending to export milk or milk products shall

((a) apply for the approval of its establishment where the intended milk or milk product is prepared or processed as per Food Safety Management System based Inspection system specified under sub-rule (2), applicable for export to all countries; or

(b) follow the consignment-wise inspection specified under sub-rule (3), applicable for export to countries other than European Union subject to the requirements of the importing countries from time to time.”

Accordingly, in case of export of Milk and Milk products, Customs shall verify either:

a. The letter of approval issued by EIC for the plant and consequential certificate for Export issued by the approved establishment as mentioned in Annexure- XXI of Executive Instructions for Milk and Milk products by EIC (copy enclosed); or

b. The Certificate of Inspection issued by the Export Inspection Agency declaring such consignment is export worthy in the specified format as mentioned in the Annexure-XXX of Document No. EIC/MMP-Ex-Instruction/2022/Issue-2 (copy enclosed).

To Read the full text of the Order CLICK HERE

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