Government of India Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue (Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs)
Instruction No. 15/2021-Customs
North Block, New Delhi.
30th June, 2021
To
All Principal Chief Commissioner/Chief
Commissioner of Customs/Custom (Preventive), All Principal Chief
Commissioner/Chief Commissioner of Central Tax and Customs, All Principal
Commissioner/Commissioner of Customs /Custom (Preventive), All Principal
Commissioner/Commissioner of Central Tax and Customs.
Subject:- Requirement of COVID-19 testing in live
animals before importing into Indiareg
Madam/Sir,
Reference is invited
to O.M. F.No. L-110110/5/2021-Trade-Part(1)(E-19215) dated 21.06.2021 issued
by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying on the abovementioned subject
(copy enclosed).
2. It is stated that in order to rule out the spreading of
COVID-19 infection through imported animals, the Cats (domestic- Felis
catus), other members of the family; Felidae i.e. tigers (Panthera tigris),
lions (Panthera leo), snow leopards (Panthera uncial), pumas (Puma spp.) etc.
and Gorillas (Gorilla spp.) have to be tested for COVID-19 infection by the
travelers/exporters in the exporting country while importing into India, till
COVID-19 situation prevails.
3. In this regard, the concerned Regional
officers/Quarantine officers, Animal Quarantine and Certification Services
(AQCS) will issue advance NOC/Final AQCS clearance for import of aforesaid
animals into India after receiving negative COVID-19 test report (no more than 3days old before export into India) in addition to other existing requirements in
this regard.
4. It is requested that necessary action may be taken to
sensitise officers under your jurisdiction regarding the above-mentioned
requirements for import of live animals.
5. The difficulties, if any, may be
brought to the notice of the Board. Hindi version follows.
Yours faithfully, F. No. 401/36/2021-Cus.III
Encl: as above (Kevin Boban) Under Secretary (Customs-III)
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