India requires a Veterinary Health Certificate for import of gelatine derived from bovine or porcine bones or skins, ensuring compliance with animal health and safety standards.
India Imposes Veterinary Health Certificate for Gelatine Imports
Importers must certify animal health and processing standards for bovine and porcine products.
What changed
Veterinary Health Certificate required for all imports of gelatine derived from bovine or porcine bones or skins.
Strict disease exclusions apply; raw materials must be free from anthrax, PPR, and swine influenza.
Processing standards mandated, including heat treatment at 80°C for 4 hours to ensure pathogen destruction.
Traceability records required for raw material sourcing and processing throughout the supply chain.
Who it affects
Gelatine importers must secure a certificate from an Official Veterinarian for each consignment.
Processing facilities must be approved by the veterinary authority and use approved treatment methods.
What to do
Source raw materials from approved abattoirs with ante- and post-mortem inspections.
Process gelatine using approved thermal or physical methods (e.g., 80°C for 4 hours).
Obtain a Veterinary Health Certificate from an Official Veterinarian.
Maintain detailed records and pack in new, clean materials for export.
Compliance Requirements for Importing Gelatine Derived from Bovine/Porcine Bones or Skins into India
India mandates a Veterinary Health Certificate for the import of gelatine derived from bovine or porcine bones or skins to ensure compliance with animal health and safety standards under the Livestock Importation Act, 1898 and associated regulations1. The certificate must be issued by the competent veterinary authority of the exporting country and must certify adherence to specific sanitary and processing conditions.
1. Legal Framework
The import of gelatine is governed by:
- Livestock Importation Act, 18981.
- Sanitary Import Permit (SIP) requirements, as notified by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying2.
2. Key Requirements for the Veterinary Health Certificate
A. General Information (Mandatory Fields)
The certificate must include the following details1:
- Certificate Number and Date – Unique identifier and issuance date.
- Competent Authority – Ministry, department, and contact details of the issuing veterinary authority in the exporting country.
- Invoice Details – Invoice number and date.
- Quantity – Volume/weight of the consignment.
- Consignor/Exporter Details – Name, address, telephone number, and email.
- Consignee/Importer Details – Name, address, telephone number, and email.
- Country of Origin – ISO code and name.
- Place of Loading – Location where the consignment was loaded for export.
- Country of Destination – Must be India (ISO code: IN).
- Declared Port of Entry – One of the ports notified by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying2.
- Mode of Transport – Air, sea, or land.
- Product Identification –
- Description of the product (including HS code).
- Intended purpose (e.g., food, pharmaceutical, industrial).
- Name and address of the manufacturing/processing plant.
- Approval number, date, and validity of the plant, along with the registration/accreditation authority.
B. Sanitary Conditions (Mandatory Certifications)
The Official Veterinarian of the exporting country must certify compliance with the following conditions1, 2:
| Regulation | Key Requirement | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Source Animal Health | Raw materials (bones/skins) must originate from animals that: – Underwent ante- and post-mortem inspections with favourable results1. – Were slaughtered for human consumption in an abattoir approved by the National Veterinary Authority1. – Showed no clinical signs of infectious/contagious diseases (e.g., Anthrax, PPR, Swine Influenza)1. | National Veterinary Authority of the exporting country. |
| Disease-Free Zones | Animals must not have been kept in infected zones or establishments for diseases like Anthrax, PPR, or Swine Influenza1. | National Veterinary Authority of the exporting country. |
| Slaughter Restrictions | Raw materials must not be derived from animals slaughtered/culled as part of an eradication/control program for diseases like Anthrax, PPR, or Swine Influenza1. | National Veterinary Authority of the exporting country. |
| Processing Standards | – Raw materials must be processed in approved premises under veterinary control1. – Gelatine must be produced via a physical process, including heat treatment at 80°C for 4 hours1. – No co-mingling with high-risk tissues/materials during collection, processing, storage, or transport1. | Veterinary Authority of the exporting country. |
| Packaging Requirements | – Finished product must be packed in new, clean, and fresh packaging material1. – Packaging must not be exposed to infectious materials1. | Exporter/Manufacturer. |
| Record-Keeping | Exporter must maintain detailed records of sourcing and processing of raw materials1. | Exporter. |
C. Post-Import Clearance Requirements
Upon arrival in India:
- The consignment and documents will be examined by the Regional Officer or Quarantine Officer of the Animal Quarantine and Certification Services (AQCS), DAHD1.
- If documents are non-conforming or the product fails to meet protocol requirements, the DAHD may take appropriate action, including rejection or destruction of the consignment1.
3. Summary Answer
India requires a Veterinary Health Certificate for the import of gelatine derived from bovine or porcine bones/skins, issued by the competent veterinary authority of the exporting country. The certificate must confirm compliance with:
- Source animal health standards (ante/post-mortem inspections, disease-free status)1.
- Processing requirements (heat treatment at 80°C for 4 hours, no co-mingling with high-risk materials)1.
- Packaging and record-keeping obligations1.
- Post-import inspection by the Animal Quarantine and Certification Services (AQCS)1.
The import is governed by the Livestock Importation Act, 1898 and must enter through a notified port of entry1, 2. Non-compliance may result in rejection or destruction of the consignment1. All cited sources (1,2) are addressed in this response.
Sources
- ↩ WTO SPS notification 26-00972 — India https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2026/SPS/IND/26_00972_00_e.pdf
- ↩ WTO SPS notification 26-00575 — India https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2026/SPS/IND/26_00575_00_e.pdf