Rule 25
Rule 25: export packages sold in India
An export package cannot be sold in India unless the manufacturer or packer has repacked or relabelled it in accordance with Chapter II of the Packaged Commodities Rules.
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This article is for general information. Check the notified Rules and later amendments. For advice specific to your business, contact Bizeneed.
Introduction
A package prepared for export may not have the declarations required for the domestic retail market. Rule 25 makes the Chapter II check necessary before diversion or sale in India.
Key takeaways
Domestic sale changes the labelling task
Before selling an export package in India, the manufacturer or packer must repack or relabel it under the applicable Chapter II rules.
Check the actual domestic package
Review the package presented for sale, not only the artwork approved for its export market.
Non-compliant packs face seizure
Rule 25 states that an export package sold domestically without the required repacking or relabelling is liable to seizure under the Act.
Identify the proposed domestic stock
Record product batches and packs originally prepared for export that the business now plans to sell within India.
Map the Chapter II declarations
Compare each pack with the current domestic declarations and presentation requirements applicable to its commodity. Other product-specific rules may also apply.
Relabel and retain evidence
Complete the repacking or relabelling before domestic sale and retain the updated artwork, batch records and release approval.
Practical checklist
Do
- Quarantine export-labelled stock until a domestic label review is complete.
- Keep records showing which batches were relabelled before sale.
Avoid
- Do not assume an export-compliant label is automatically Chapter II compliant.
- Do not release an unrelabelled export pack for Indian sale.
Official sources
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