Indian import policy
As of 2026-11: dairy products including whey need a Sanitary Import Permit (SIP) from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying before shipment and a veterinary health certificate with India's required attestations (including on animal feed); FSSAI Central licence and FICS clearance per consignment; FSSAI import shelf-life rules apply. Duty: verify on ICEGATE for 0404.10/3502.20 (not checked this session). Sources: https://fics.fssai.gov.in; research/06-compliance-logistics.md; DAHD SIP requirement is ASSUMPTION from general knowledge — confirm with DAHD.
Check the current DGFT, BIS and CBIC notifications before contracting.
Importing whey protein concentrate/isolate & whey powder into India: requirements
| Requirement | Authority | Document |
|---|---|---|
| Importer-Exporter Code; GST; ICEGATE | DGFT / GSTN / CBIC | IEC; GSTIN; ICEGATE DSC registration |
| Import policy classification | DGFT | ITC(HS) policy: Free/Restricted/Prohibited/STE; import authorisation if Restricted |
| Customs declaration & duty | CBIC / ICEGATE | Bill of Entry; BCD + AIDC + SWS(10% of BCD) + IGST |
| Import clearance NOC | FSSAI | FICS NOC after Bill of Entry; FSSAI Central licence |
| Trusted trader status | CBIC | AEO-T1/T2/T3/LO |
Import trend
Comtrade ch.33 USD 1.52 bn CY2025 (finished + ingredients); cocoa from Indonesia USD 0.68 bn CY2025; ingredient-only and food-ingredient totals unavailable
Where Indian buyers are
Gujarat — Ahmedabad, Anand, Vadodara. Nutraceutical contract manufacturers and dairy processors
Himachal Pradesh / Uttarakhand — Baddi, Haridwar. Nutraceutical and FMCG plants
Maharashtra — Mumbai, Pune. Sports-nutrition brands and food processors
Delhi NCR / Haryana — Delhi, Gurugram, Sonipat. D2C protein brands and contract packers
Karnataka — Bengaluru. Health-food and protein-snack start-ups
Frequently asked questions
What approvals are needed to import whey protein into India?
A Sanitary Import Permit from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying before shipment, a veterinary health certificate with India's required attestations, an FSSAI Central licence and FSSAI clearance on FICS for each consignment.
Why do dairy imports into India need special veterinary certificates?
India requires attestations on animal health and feed, including that animals were not fed certain animal-derived feeds. The exporting country's authority must agree to issue that wording.
How do buyers check imported whey for protein spiking?
By testing the amino-acid profile at an independent lab, in addition to the supplier's COA, before using the whey in finished products.
Which countries supply whey protein to India?
Mainly EU producers (Netherlands, France, Germany, Ireland), the USA and New Zealand.
Import routes
Source whey protein concentrate/isolate & whey powder for India
Tell us specification, volume and delivery city in India.