The Central Government has issued a notification amending the export policy under Chapter 23 of ITC(HS) 2022, introducing additional veterinary and sourcing requirements for specific animal by-products used in pet food. This aligns India’s trade framework with EU regulatory standards, ensuring higher compliance and product safety.
What’s New?
A new Policy Condition 2 has been inserted under Chapter 23 of the Schedule-II (Export Policy).
Applies to meat, offal, guts, bladders, stomach, intestines, pizzle, bones, horns, hooves, glands, hides, and other organs (Chapters 02, 05 & 41).
These items, when used as raw material in pet food products (not for human consumption), must be sourced from:
APEDA-registered integrated abattoirs OR
Municipal slaughterhouses.
Mandatory post-mortem inspection and segregation to ensure raw material suitability.
Veterinary certification required:
Issued by veterinarians duly registered under the Indian Veterinary Council Act, 1984.
Certification must be based on inspections carried out and supervised by the designated veterinary authority of the concerned State/UT.
Export Policy Amendments
ITC(HS) Codes & Description | Existing Export Policy Condition | Revised Export Policy Condition |
23091000 – Dog or cat food put up for retail sale | Subject to Policy Condition 1 of this Chapter. | Subject to Policy Conditions 1 and 2 of this Chapter. |
23099010 – Compounded Animal Feed | ||
23099020 – Concentrates for Compound Animal Feed |
Key Takeaways
- Additional certification is now mandatory for animal by-products used in pet food.
- Exports must comply with stricter inspection, sourcing, and veterinary supervision norms.
- Brings India’s export framework in line with European Union (EU) regulations, ensuring greater acceptance of Indian pet food products in global markets.
Effect of this Notification:
The export policy of certain animal by-products has been revised, making compliance with veterinary certification and sourcing requirements mandatory. This will strengthen India’s global trade credibility while ensuring food safety standards for pet products.
Notification Reference: DGFT
Notification No. 29/2025-26
08 /09/2025