INTRODUCTION TO FOOD IMPORT CLEARANCE SYSTEM (FICS)

In an attempt to smoothen the process of import of articles of food into India, the Food safety and standards Authority of India introduced Food Import Clearance System (FICS). Food Import Clearance System (FICS) allows the importer to file an application for clearance of imported food article with the department of customs on ICE Gate (i.e., Indian Customs Electronic Commerce/Electronic Data interchange (EC/EDI) Gateway) which is seamlessly integrated with FICS to allow a single window interface for facilitating trade.

Using FICS, the Importers/Custom House Agents (CHA) can also respond to any query or clarification raised by the authorized officers under Section 25 of FSS Act, 2006 or FSS (Import) Regulations, 2017. Apart from this FICS also facilitates the online payment of testing fees since the process is completely in online mode.

Under FICS, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) imported food articles subjected to scrutiny of documents, visual inspection, sampling and testing etc. in order to determine whether or not they conform to the safety and quality standards laid down under various FSS (Import) Regulations, 2017.

For the purpose of testing, ‘Selective Sampling’ on the basis of risk profiling is done by FSSAI. If the sample is found conforming then No Objection Certificate (NOC) is generated and if not conforming, then Non-Conforming Report (NCR) is generated.

HOW CAN ONE ACCESS FICS FSSAI-REGISTRATION IN FICS, LOGIN IN FICS, UPLOADING OF DOCUMENTS?

• The first step in importing any article of food to India is registration by CHA/Importer on FICS. (https://fics.fssai.gov.in/). As FICS is 100% online system, it can be accessed by the users 24x7.
• FICS provide separate portals for Registration as Importer or registration as CHA. All you have to do is, select the appropriate FICS fields and fill in the column to sign up and create ID-Password.
• The importer then files the required documents in FICS. For any problem faced during applying in FICS, the importer/CHA can contact on fics@fssai.gov.in or visit the respective FSSAI Regional Office.

STEPS UNDER FICS FOR IMPORT OF FOOD ARTICLE

1. The Importer/CHA has to file an application for clearance of assignment with the department of Customs for generation Bill of Entry at Customs ICE GATE (https://icegate.gov.in) using Single Window Interface for Facilitating Trade popularly known as SWIFT.
2. Risk based sampling called Risk Management System (RMS) is in operation at SWIFT. This Risk Management System (RMS) scrutinizes the application and if the FSSAI clearance is required, the Bill of Entry is referred to Authorized Officer under FSSAI on online Food Import Clearance System (FICS)
3. After acceptance by the Authorized Officer, the application is visible in the Importer’s/CHA’s FICS FSSAI login in.
4. Certain documents are to be uploaded on Food Import Clearance System (FICS FSSAI) for obtaining clearance by Authorized Officer.

FICS LIST OF DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO OBTAIN NOC FROM FSSAI

1. A valid FSSAI import license
2. A valid Importer Exporter Code (IEC) issued by Directorate General of Foreign Trade.
3. List of ingredients of imported articles of food
4. Bill of Entry shall be required
5. Specimen copy of label along with End Use Declaration i.e., the final product for which the imported food article will be consumed
6. Certificate of country of origin
7. Along with these documents some other documents shall also be required which would depend upon the particular import items.

PROCESS OF SCRUTINY OF DOCUMENTS & PAYMENT OF FEES UNDER FICS

1. All relevant documents are uploaded on FICS website by the Importer/CHA.
2. AO scrutinizes all documents to ensure its compliance with applicable standards for various food and food ingredients including food additives. If any clarification is needed, then same is sought from the importer of CHA.
3. Importer is asked to deposit the visual inspection and testing fee according to the number of items in the consignment.
4. Importer deposits the applicable fees.
5. AO gives appointment for visual inspection which is to be acknowledged online by the importer on FICS.

CONCLUSION

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has authorized its Officers that cover 53 points of entries that ensures compliance to the provisions of Food Safety Standard Act, 2006 and Regulations made thereunder. Also, another 97 points are there for entry throughout the country where Customs officials have been designated as Authorized Officers by the FICS FSSAI.

Under FICS FSSAI when the food articles are referred to FSSAI for clearance by the Customs Authorities they are subject to scrutiny of documents, visual inspection, sampling and testing to determine whether or not they conform to the safety and quality standards established and laid down under various FSS Regulations. If sample of the food article is found conforming to the regulations then FSSAI shall generate No Objection Certificate (NOC) and if not conforming, then Non-Conforming Report (NCR) is generated.