Importing Psyllium Husk and Sesame Seeds from India to Australia

Australia's Biosecurity Framework for Agricultural Imports

Agricultural imports into Australia are governed by the Biosecurity Act 2015, administered by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). DAFF operates the Biosecurity Import Conditions (BICON) database, which specifies the import conditions for each product category — including whether an import permit is required, what phytosanitary conditions apply, and what documentation must accompany the shipment.

All food imports into Australia must also comply with the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, administered by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). Imported food is regulated under the Imported Food Control Act 1992, with DAFF managing food import compliance on behalf of the relevant authorities.

Customs clearance is handled by the Australian Border Force (ABF), working alongside DAFF for biosecurity declarations. Most importers engage an Australian licensed customs broker to manage this process.

Important: Every buyer should check the BICON database for the specific import conditions that apply to their product before placing an order. Import conditions can change, and requirements vary by product, end use, and form (whole, powdered, processed). Confirm all requirements with your Australian customs broker before shipment.

Khapra Beetle — A Critical Compliance Layer for Indian Imports

India is designated by DAFF as a khapra beetle target risk country. The khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium) is a stored-product pest native to India; the majority of Australian interceptions involve consignments from India, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Iran. DAFF has applied a tiered system of mandatory biosecurity measures that affects every commercial shipment of plant products from India — with different requirements depending on whether a product is classified as high-risk or other-risk.

The consequences of arriving without the required treatment and certification are severe: goods can be refused entry and destroyed at the importer's cost. Confirm the khapra beetle requirements for your specific product in BICON and with your Australian customs broker before placing an order.

The requirements for psyllium husk and sesame seeds differ and are summarised in the product sections below.

Psyllium Husk — Australian Import Considerations

Psyllium husk is a plant-derived product classified under HS Chapter 1211 (plants and parts of plants used in perfumery, pharmacy or similar). India's HSN code is 12119032.

Khapra beetle classification: Psyllium husk is classified under DAFF's other-risk category for khapra beetle purposes. This is less stringent than the high-risk category: mandatory offshore treatment is not required, but the phytosanitary certificate must include a specific additional declaration about Trogoderma inspection (see document section below).

Key considerations for Australian buyers:

• BICON check: Search BICON before your first order to confirm current import conditions and whether a biosecurity import permit is required for your intended use (food, dietary supplement, animal feed)
• Phytosanitary certificate with Trogoderma declaration: Required. The certificate must include the additional declaration: "Representative samples were inspected and found free from evidence of any species of Trogoderma (whether live, dead or exuviae) in Australia's list of Trogoderma species of biosecurity concern." Standard phytosanitary certificates without this wording will not satisfy the khapra beetle other-risk condition
• Fumigation: Methyl bromide fumigation is standard for bulk agricultural shipments into Australia. Your supplier should provide a fumigation certificate
• FSANZ compliance: If used as food or a food ingredient, the product must comply with relevant standards under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code
• CoA from NABL-accredited lab: Provides independently verified purity, moisture, swelling index, microbiological parameters, and other quality specifications
• APEDA RCMC: RPM Global Exports holds APEDA RCMC for psyllium husk, ashwagandha, and chia seeds exports

Sesame Seeds — Australian Import Considerations

Sesame seeds are classified under HS Chapter 1207 (other oil seeds and oleaginous fruits).

Khapra beetle classification: Sesame seeds are listed among the commodities known to be infested by khapra beetle, and India is a target risk country. Sesame appears in DAFF guidance on other-risk plant products, but buyers must verify the current BICON classification for sesame seeds for human consumption from India before ordering — whether sesame is classified as high-risk (requiring mandatory offshore fumigation before export) or other-risk (requiring Trogoderma inspection declaration only) affects the entire document set your supplier must provide.

Key considerations for Australian buyers:

• BICON check — do this first: Look up "sesame seeds for human consumption" in BICON to confirm the current khapra beetle classification and whether mandatory offshore treatment is required from India
• Phytosanitary certificate: Required, and must include the appropriate khapra beetle additional declaration wording (Trogoderma inspection declaration at minimum; treatment wording if sesame is classified high-risk)
• Fumigation: Standard for bulk sesame exports; if sesame is confirmed high-risk, offshore fumigation must meet khapra beetle treatment specifications — your customs broker can advise
• Allergen declaration: Sesame is a declared allergen under FSANZ Standard 1.2.3. Confirm labelling and allergen declaration requirements with your food compliance advisor before importing for food use
• CoA: Third-party NABL laboratory CoA covering purity, moisture, oil content, and microbiological parameters
• Certifications note: APEDA RCMC covers psyllium husk, ashwagandha, and chia seeds (Herbal & Medicinal Plants panel); it does not extend to sesame seeds or cumin seeds. RPM holds FSSAI Central License, IEC, and GSTIN — verifiable on our certifications page

Documents to Request from Your Indian Supplier

The following documents should accompany every shipment from India to Australia. Note that the phytosanitary certificate requirements differ by product due to the khapra beetle classification tiers described above.

From the Indian Exporter

• Commercial invoice — product description, quantity, unit price, total value, HS code, buyer and seller details, Incoterms
• Packing list — number of bags/cartons, gross and net weight per package, total weight and volume
• Bill of lading or airway bill — issued by the shipping line or freight forwarder
• Phytosanitary certificate with khapra beetle additional declarations — issued by India's NPPO; must include the Trogoderma inspection declaration (required for psyllium as other-risk; required for sesame at minimum, with additional treatment wording if sesame is confirmed high-risk via BICON)
• Fumigation certificate — confirming treatment type, date, and container or batch details; if sesame is confirmed high-risk by your BICON check, ensure offshore treatment meets khapra beetle specifications
• Certificate of origin — confirms Indian origin for customs purposes
• Third-party NABL CoA — independently tested analysis from a NABL-accredited laboratory

Your Australian Customs Broker Will Handle

• Biosecurity Import Declaration (required under the Biosecurity Act 2015)
• Customs entry and ABF declaration
• Any import permit applications required by DAFF
• Interpretation of BICON conditions and inspection coordination if DAFF requires physical inspection on arrival

Using the BICON Database

Before placing your first order, search the DAFF BICON database (at bicon.agriculture.gov.au) using the product name or HS code. The database will tell you:

• Whether an import permit is required
• The product's khapra beetle risk classification (high-risk or other-risk)
• Exactly which biosecurity conditions must be met before entry
• Which documents must accompany the shipment
• Whether on-arrival inspection or treatment is required

BICON conditions are updated periodically — DAFF revised the phytosanitary certificate wording requirements in May 2025. Your Australian customs broker or biosecurity consultant can help you interpret the current requirements for your specific product and end use.

Exporter Credentials to Verify

Before approving an Indian supplier, verify that they hold:

• FSSAI Central License — India's food safety authority; mandatory for food exporters
• IEC (Importer Exporter Code) — mandatory for all Indian exporters
• GST registration — confirms the exporter is a legitimate registered entity
• APEDA RCMC — required for certain product categories; for psyllium husk, this is the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority registration. Note: APEDA RCMC scope is product-specific

RPM Global Exports holds all of the above, with APEDA RCMC covering psyllium husk, ashwagandha, and chia seeds (Herbal & Medicinal Plants panel). View verified copies on our certifications page.

Packing and Order Quantities

Standard export packing options:

• 25 kg PP bags
• 50 kg PP bags

Order quantities:

• Trial orders: from 500 kg* for first-time buyers
• Standard MOQ: 1 metric ton (MT)
• FCL: quoted at separately negotiated rates

Shipping terms: FOB Mundra. We can quote CIF on request. Transit times and freight rates vary by destination port and shipping line; confirm with your freight forwarder.

Supplier Verification Checklist for Australian Buyers

• ✓ BICON conditions checked for your specific product before ordering
• ✓ Khapra beetle risk classification confirmed (high-risk or other-risk) via BICON or customs broker
• ✓ Australian customs broker engaged for import permit and clearance
• ✓ Phytosanitary certificate includes the Trogoderma inspection additional declaration (all products); plus treatment/gas-permeability wording if sesame is confirmed high-risk
• ✓ Fumigation certificate received and treatment type/date verified
• ✓ Certificate of origin requested
• ✓ Third-party NABL CoA received and reviewed
• ✓ Commercial invoice includes correct HS code and product description
• ✓ Supplier's FSSAI, IEC, and relevant export registrations verified
• ✓ Allergen declaration requirements confirmed with food compliance advisor (for sesame)

This guide provides a general overview only. Biosecurity import conditions, food standards, HS classifications, and customs procedures may change over time. Buyers should confirm all requirements with DAFF, the BICON database, local customs brokers, and compliance advisors before shipment.