CBIC revises Customs framework for FSSAI‑authorised food import points and officers

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) has overhauled its earlier directions on handling imported food consignments by issuing Instruction No. 04/2026-Customs dated 20th April 2026. This latest instruction realigns Customs procedures with the updated framework of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) relating to authorised officers and Points of Entry for food imports.

The changes have been made under the legal umbrella of Section 25 read with Section 47(5) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and Regulation 13(1) of the **Food Safety and Standards (Import) Regulations, 2017`. The new instruction modifies Customs Instruction No. 31/2025-Customs dated 03.11.2025, incorporating the latest FSSAI Notifications dated 06.01.2026 and 09.04.2026.

Statutory provisions invoked

The instruction expressly links Customs procedures to the following provisions:

  • Section 25 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
  • Section 47(5) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
  • Regulation 13(1) of the **Food Safety and Standards (Import) Regulations, 2017`

These provisions collectively govern:

  1. Conditions for import of food articles into India
  2. Appointment and powers of Authorised Officers responsible for food safety checks at the border
  3. Procedural requirements for inspection, sampling, testing and clearance of imported food consignments

Note: While the Customs law governs import and clearance from a revenue and border-control perspective, actual food safety verification at the point of entry is driven by the FSSAI framework, implemented through Authorised Officers notified for specific ports.

Background: Why the instruction was revised

CBIC had earlier issued Instruction No. 31/2025-Customs dated 03.11.2025 to operationalise the food import framework at designated locations in coordination with FSSAI. Subsequently, FSSAI conducted a fresh review of its notified Points of Entry for food imports and the deployment of Authorised Officers at those locations.

Pursuant to this review, FSSAI issued two key Notifications dated:

  • 06.01.2026, and
  • 09.04.2026

These notifications:

  • Reassessed the network of Points of Entry permitted to handle imported food consignments
  • Designated Authorised Officers at additional locations
  • Updated the official list of ports, ICDs and SEZs that can legally process food imports under the FSS regime

To ensure that Customs formations uniformly follow the updated FSSAI framework, CBIC has now issued Instruction No. 04/2026-Customs, updating and partially substituting the earlier instructions to the extent of inconsistency.

Expansion of notified food import Points of Entry

Increase from 166 to 171 locations

On the basis of the FSSAI Notifications dated 09.04.2026 and 06.01.2026, the number of recognised Points of Entry for food imports has been expanded:

  • Earlier notified Points of Entry: 166
  • Newly added Points of Entry: 5
  • Revised total Points of Entry: 171

These Points of Entry include a combination of:

  • Sea ports
  • Airports
  • Inland Container Depots (ICDs)
  • Land Customs Stations (LCS)
  • SEZ-linked terminals and facilities

The addition of new Points of Entry is intended to decongest existing ports, enable region-specific facilitation, and ensure that food imports routed through emerging logistics hubs are brought firmly under the FSSAI compliance net.

Newly notified five Points of Entry and authorised officers

FSSAI has notified five additional Points of Entry for handling food imports, along with the categories of officers authorised to act on its behalf at these locations.