India Issues Guidelines for Import of Insecticides for Non-Insecticidal and Dual-Use Purposesa
13 August 2026, New Delhi: India has issued detailed guidelines for importing insecticides intended for non-insecticidal or dual-use purposes, following amendments to the Insecticides Rules, 1971. The Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage (DPPQ&S) issued a public notice dated August 6, 2026, informing applicants about the new import permit process.
The notice follows Gazette Notification G.S.R. 597(E), dated July 8, 2026, through which the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare notified the Insecticides Third (Amendment) Rules, 2026. The amendments were subsequently placed before the Registration Committee (RC), which accepted the terms and conditions at its 474th meeting held on July 30, 2026.
New import permit mechanism
Under the amended rules, the government has introduced a specific provision for granting import permits to persons seeking to import an insecticide for non-insecticidal use. A new clause has been inserted in Rule 4 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971, allowing the grant of such import permits.
A new Chapter III-A, titled “Manner of Import of an Insecticide for Non-Insecticidal Purpose,” has also been inserted into the rules. Applications must be submitted to the Registration Committee in Form IA and accompanied by a fee of Rs. 5,000. The Registration Committee has the authority to conduct an inquiry to verify information provided by applicants.
A complete application is to be considered and disposed of preferably within 45 days, with a possible extension of up to 15 additional days. An import permit issued under this provision will generally remain valid for one year. However, where the applicant holds a registration certificate for the pesticide for which the imported material is intended to be used as a raw material, the permit will be valid for three years.
Application requirements
The newly prescribed Form IA requires applicants to provide details including the name and address of the applicant, premises where the imported insecticide will be stored or used, the insecticide and its minimum purity, source of import, and the product being manufactured using the imported material.
Applicants must also provide licensed and installed production capacity, the function of the insecticide in the manufacturing process, the percentage required and the proposed annual import quantity. Valid industrial licences or other specified evidence of the manufacturing facility must also be submitted.
The application further requires information on Pollution Control Board clearance or consent, the quantity of insecticide imported and consumed during the previous three years, corresponding production of the final product, and a self-certified affidavit supporting the quantity requested.
For material intended for domestic consumption, applicants must provide a declaration certified by the jurisdictional Industrial Health and Safety Office confirming that the imported insecticide will be stored separately from other materials to avoid poisoning. Where the material is intended for export, applicants must provide details of the foreign buyer and an advance licence where applicable.
Additional scrutiny for higher import quantities
The guidelines introduce an additional requirement when the proposed import quantity is significantly higher than historical consumption. If the difference between the quantity proposed for import and the average consumption during the previous three years exceeds 30%, detailed justification from the Nodal Ministry, Department or State Department of Industry will be required for importing the additional quantity.
The application also requires year-wise details of quantities imported and consumed over the previous three financial years, along with the corresponding final products manufactured. Applicants must certify that the imported material is not intended for sale but for their own stated requirements. Incorrect information can result in cancellation of the import permit and the applicant bearing the resulting losses and responsibility.
Processing through the online portal
The guidelines state that applications will be processed in a time-bound manner, preferably within 30 days or 4–6 weeks, as per the Registration Committee meeting, from receipt of a complete application through the online portal. Incomplete applications may be rejected without prior notice.
The guidelines also clarify that import permits will not be required for unit packs containing 5 grams or less of Certified Reference Material or Reference Standards of insecticides or pesticides.
Provision
Requirement
Application
Form IA submitted to the Registration Committee
Application fee
Rs. 5,000
Normal permit validity
1 year
Permit validity where registered pesticide is used as raw material
3 years
Processing timeline
Preferably 45 days, extendable by up to 15 days
Higher quantity threshold
Detailed justification required where quantity exceeds the three-year average by more than 30%
Small reference-material packs
Permit not required for unit packs of 5 grams or less
The August 6 public notice directs applicants seeking import permits for pesticides intended for dual-use or non-insecticidal purposes to submit applications in accordance with the prescribed Gazette notification and Form IA. Applications already received through the CROP portal will also be scrutinised under the new guidelines.
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