Sanitary Import Permit Registration to Import Animal Food

Updated on January 28, 2026 08:14:24 AM

Indian pet food importing process include strict adherence to different regulations and permits in terms of hygiene of the pet food products. This is a very important permit and one of those permits that are referred to as absolutely needed for importation; Sanitary Import Permit. This permit is required by the importers of the pet food, which include the dog and cat foods, in order to certify that the foods imported come with qualities that meet the standards of sanitary requirements as stipulated by the Government of India. Let us explain step-by-step how to obtain a Sanitary Import Permit, which is required for importing pet food to India.
 

Table Of Content

What is a Sanitary Import Permit?

SIP is not a license but an official document that informs importers about sanitary measures that must be fulfilled before the Animal Food is to be imported in India from the exporting country. The permit helps in minimizing the threat of bringing in new diseases into the country by confirming that the Animal Food have been approved to meet certain sanitary requirements as duly signed by the official veterinarian of the exporting country.

Why do you need a Sanitary Import Permit?

A Sanitary Import Permit (SIP) is typically required by many countries to regulate the importation of certain products, including animal food. Here are the primary reasons why a Sanitary Import Permit is needed:

Ensuring Safety and Quality:

• The SIP has features of ensuring that the pet foods imported into the country of India complies with safety and quality standards. This is very important given that in some cases there may be toxic substances or chemicals that may be dangerous to animals.

Preventing Disease:

• The SIP plays a role in reducing the risks of introducing tropical diseases that are communicable through foods for pets. This is even more relevant when protecting local animals from diseases that may be unknown in India.

Compliance with International Standards:

• Through the SIP, it is equally important that imported Animal foods meet the set international and national health standards. This is important to ensure that high and safe standard Animal foods are produced for consumption by Animals in the market.

Consumer Confidence:

• Maintaining high hygiene standards in Animal food products increases consumer trust. Consumers and specifically Animal owners can have confidence that the products available for them are safe and of good quality.

Environmental Protection:

• The SIP also facilitates environmental conservation since it also covers the risks the importation of the pet foods may pose to the environment by bringing in unsafe substances or life forms that may upset the balance of the local ecosystems.

How to Obtain a Sanitary Import Permit in India?

To obtain Sanitary Import Permit, the following steps are followed:

Log in to the SIP Portal: 

• Go to the website of the Sanitary Import Permit and access the port

Fill Application form: 

• Complete the form based on the purpose of the import (personal consumption or trading).

Attach Mandatory Documents: 

• Upload all the documents which they requested that are mandatory to upload such as FSSAI license and IEC.

Pay Application Fee: 

• Complete the application form and submit the application fee of Rs. 300 using the online payment system.

Submit Application: 

• After uploading all the documents and paying the fee, final submission of application should be done.

Verification and Inspection:

• The application has been provided along with the necessary documents, submitted to be reviewed by the concerned offices.
• At times, it might be required to visit the manufacturing plant in the exporting country to conduct inspection.

Issuance of SIP:

• Once this process is complete the SIP will be issued to the applicant.
• The permit can be obtained from SIP Portal and can be downloaded from there.

Documents Required for Sanitary Import Permit in India

The specific documents required for a Sanitary Import Permit (SIP) can vary depending on the importing country and the type of animal food being imported. However, here are some common documents that may be requested:

• FSSAI License 
• Import Export Code (IEC)
• Application Form
• Health Certificate
• Manufacturer's Declaration
• Importer's Details
• Labeling Information
• Bill of Lading or Airway Bill
• Invoice and Packing List

Validity of Sanitary Import Permit

The import permit to be granted under this clause shall be for six months, but on a request in writing from the importer and for reasons to be recorded in writing, the permit can be extended by the concerned authority for a further period of six months.

Fee Charges to get SIP

The total fee to get a Sanitary Import Permit (SIP) in India is ₹300.

Conclusion

The Sanitary Import Permit is an essential document that all importers of pet foods need to have before importing pet foods into India. Safety, quality, freedom from diseases, international standards, consumer confidence, and environmental control is made possible by this measurable and auditable tool. The official SIP is necessary for importing products like dog and cat foods and can be processed through the SIP Portal. Besides, there is an application form with fields that are mandatory to complete, procedures which entail submitting documents such as FSSAI license and IEC number, an application fee, and submission of the application. The permit on the site is generally valid for six months but, if required, it can be renewed for another similar period.

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Who needs to obtain a Sanitary Import Permit (SIP) for importing pet food into India?

Any company or person intending to import pet food into India requires a Sanitary Import Permit (SIP) from the DGFT. This applies to both importation with an intent to sell and for other purposes.

How can I apply for a Sanitary Import Permit (SIP) for pet food in India?

The application for Sanitary Import Permit (SIP) is done through the online portal that the DGFT has developed and the applicant must upload necessary documents and make the payments for the permit. It commonly includes information about the pet food, including the product, ingredients, source of the ingredients, and the conformity with Indian norms.

How long does it take to obtain a Sanitary Import Permit (SIP) for pet food in India?

The time taken to process the SIP may take a few days to a couple of weeks depending on the number of days taken to complete the formalities attached to the application form and the general workload in the DGFT.

Is an IEC code required for importing animal food into India?

Yes, an Import Export Code (IEC) is mandatory for importing animal food, along with a Sanitary Import Permit for compliance with health regulations. For detailed registration steps, visit Online Process for Registration of Import Export (IEC) Code.

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