Formalities to import Fertilizers

The information provided here is part of Export Import Training course online

Tips to importers of Fertilizers 

In this post, a basic knowledge on how to import Fertilizers is explained. This information is to enlighten importers; a general idea to import Fertilizers goods from overseas countries applicable to almost all countries worldwide. Once after reading this post about import procedures and import customs clearance procedures, you will have basic information about the procedures and formalities on how to import various products from foreign countries. Some of the items under this category are prohibited or restricted in some countries. If you are importing any commodity, you need to obtain accurate information from concerned government departments of importing country, as the details given in this post provides only a common idea about import of Fertilizers

Different countries may have their own requirements to import Fertilizers although most of the procedures and formalities are same in all countries after globalization of trade by General Agreement on Tariff and Trade, GATT. More trade liberalization is expected in near future for WTO countries through Trade Facilitation Agreement TFA likely to be introduced within a couple of years.


Government registration as importer

fertilizers-250x250In most of countries, government registration is required to become an importer in the country who only can act as an importer. Foreign Trade government office of respective country is responsible to issue such authorization to become an importer. For example in India, IEC number (Import Export Code Number) is obtained from the office of Director General of Foreign Trade office to operate as an importer and exporter in India. This process to become an importer is a onetime process, but renewal may be required as per the terms and conditions of such foreign trade office of a country. Nowadays, in most of the countries, the information on such registration for importer – exporter is linked with customs location and reserve bank, as process of imports and exports are online digitalized. So the importers of Fertilizers is also required to contact concerned government agencies of their importing country to verify whether such onetime registration is necessary or not.


What are the special requirements to import Fertilizers

The process and formalities to import Fertilizers may differ from one another and in country to country. Also different procedures and formalities to import each items might be different under import of Fertilizers. However, some of the common requirements to import Fertilizers in major countries are explained below:

Import permit directly through government agencies

Some of the imports under mineral or chemical fertilizers and nitrogenous are allowed through import permit directly through government agencies of importing country. For example in India, Urea is allowed to import through State Trading Corporation, MMTC and Indian Potash limited (Government of India enterprises). Any goods, import or export of which is governed through exclusive or special privileges granted to STE(s), may be imported or exported by STE(s) as per conditions specified in ITC (HS). DGFT may, however, grant an Authorization to any other person to import or export any of these goods. Such STE(s) shall make any such purchases or sales involving imports or exports solely in accordance with commercial considerations, including price, quality, availability, marketability, transportation and other conditions of purchase or sale in a non discriminatory manner and shall afford enterprises of other countries adequate opportunity, in accordance with customary business practices, to compete for participation in such purchases or sales.

Certificate of Origin to import Fertilizers

The source of origin of imported Fertilizers is required in almost all countries. So a certificate of origin issued by necessary approved authorities at exporting country is required to import Fertilizers. Certificate of origin helps to determine origin of imported goods to avail exemption on import duties and taxes. Different unilateral, multilateral and bilateral agreement between countries also allows imports and exports with exemption of import duties where in Certificate of Origin is the primary proof on country of origin of importing goods under Fertilizers.

Procedures to import Fertilizers

The importer and supplier mutually agree terms and conditions about import sale prior to actual shipment of imports. Pricing, quality specifications, terms of payment, terms delivery, mode of transport and other terms and conditions are agreed and mentioned in purchase order and import shipment of Fertilizers is effected accordingly.

As you know, under any importation of goods, necessary import documentation and customs clearance procedures at importing country have to be completed either importer’s customs broker or importer directly as per foreign trade policy of respective importing country. For importing Fertilizers also, import entry documents along with carrier’s document (Bill of Lading /Airway bill), commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and other required documents are filed and necessary import procedures are completed to take delivery of imported goods under Fertilizers. Nowadays, necessary information is filed online and produces required documents at the time of inspection, assessment or delivery of import of goods at destination customs location.

The international partners of countries share quality measures each other and exempt from multiple inspection on same products both for export and import. However, as per the policy of most of the developed countries import of goods from Least Developed Countries (LDC) need to be certified by authorized agencies before export. So when importing Fertilizers the details of such information can be obtained from necessary government agencies of importing country.

Prior notice to importing country.

In some countries, prior notice regarding import of Fertilizers has to be filed before arrival of goods in entry port of importing country.

In this article, the documentation, process and formalities to import Fertilizers are explained. As explained above, this information are generally applicable for all countries. These details on how to import Fertilizers are given to provide a basic idea to bring Fertilizers from foreign country. Specific requirements for each importing country need to be followed by importers and exporters of Fertilizers


I hope, the above information helps you in gaining basic knowledge on documentation, procedures and formalities in importation of Fertilizers.



The above information is a part of Import Export Training course online

Would you like to comment your thoughts on this article about importation of Fertilizers? Share below your experience in importing Fertilizers from overseas country.

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The above post commonly explains on the questions given under about import guidelines of fertilizers. These products fall under chapter 31 of hs code. Please contact authorized government agencies of importing country for accurate information on importation procedures and formalities:

Import guidelines to foreign buyers of mineral or chemical fertilisers with nitrogen elements. How to import ammonium nitrate? What are the procedures to import sodium nitrate? Import clearance formalities of mineral or chemical fertilisers, tips to importers of double salts. Processes to import animal fertilzers, can i import parts of vegetable fertilisers, is import of guano permitted?, import clearance procedures of animal dung, importation of fertilisers containing the two fertilising elements nitrogen and phoshorus, how to import ammonium dihydrogen ortho phosphate, can i import chemical fertilizers with phosphorus and potassium? Guidelines to importers of diammonium hydrogen ortho phosphate (diammonium phosphate). Formalities to import chemical fertilisers containing two or three of the fertilising elements nitrogen, shipping procedures required to import potassium sulphate, how to ship mineral fertilizers containing fertilizing elements? Guidelines to overseas buyers of potassium chloride. Import guidelines to foreign buyers of superphosphate. How to import mixtures of urea and ammonium nitrate? What are the procedures to import double salts or mixtures of calcium nitrate? Import clearance formalities of mixtures of ammonium nitrate with calcium carbonate , tips to importers of mixtures of ammonium sulphate. Processes to import ammonium sulphate, can i import parts of ammonium nitrate, is import of ammonium sulphonitrate permitted?, import clearance procedures of double salts, import documents require for ammonium sulphate, customs procedures to import mineral or chemical fertilisers, how to import urea?

No need to pay GST on pineapples

Zero rate of GST on sale of mangosteens

Zero rate of GST on sale of guavas

No need to pay GST on purchase of figs

No need to pay of GST on sale of Dates

Nil rate tariff of GST on avocados         

No need to pay GST on sale of mangoes

Zero percentage of GST on sale of limes

Zero rate of GST on sale of Lemons

No need to pay GST on sale of Grapefruit, including pomelos

Zero percentage of GST on sale of clementines

Nil rate of GST on sale of Citrus fruit, such as Oranges, Mandarins

Zero rate of GST on sale of wilkings and similar citrus hybrids

Narrowed payable GST on Raisin

Nil rate of GST on sale of Grapes


Kaushikkumar Pandav : I am starting small importing firm in my city Surat, Gujarat. I was in Canada since last 4 yrs and I come to know that Indian soil needs plenty amounts of fertilizers in order to get more agricultural production so I have decided to import Potash from Canada. I have pretty much knowledge regarding licensing and everything but I am looking forward to get information about legislation for potash, can I work independently for this fertilizer, and any other tips and clues relative to this topic you feel to lighten my eye will be welcomed.

Faraz Faizi : We need import permit for import pigeons how to get a permit for that what is a procedure how to get how much we pay for permit.

Monika V Sharma: I am Monika Sharma wanted to start import business. Your blog how to import export help me a lot to start this business. I also did import export management from item Bangalore. But there are some queries, it will be grateful if you help me to clear these queries, I wanted to import calcium carbonate as it is required in India by many companies and due to ASEAN agreement it is import free in India. Please help me to calculate the taxes levied on it after import in India. Pl help me to calculate the rate after import to the customer.

ali .zarepour: we have two kind of urea prilled & granular for sale

rajneesh: I have a retail shop and retail selling licence of fertilizer. can I import water soluble fertilizer. what are the formalities?

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