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DGFT import export licence

Import export policy: free, restricted, prohibited and SCOMET items

How to check if an item can be imported or exported freely, needs a DGFT licence or is prohibited. Application fees for export and import licences and where to search the ITC (HS) policy.

Official sources checked: 2 Oct 2026

Issued by

DGFT, Ministry of Commerce

Validity

As stated on the licence

Time

Online on the DGFT portal

What it is

Under the Foreign Trade Policy, exports and imports are free except where they are prohibited, restricted or reserved for state trading enterprises in the ITC (HS) schedules. Schedule 1 is the import policy and Schedule 2 is the export policy, given for each 8-digit HS code.

Before you place an order, find your 8-digit code and read its policy and conditions. If the item is restricted, you need a licence or authorisation from DGFT. If it is prohibited, it cannot be imported or exported at all.

Who needs it

Every importer and exporter should check this once for each product. All imported goods are also subject to domestic laws, technical standards and safety rules, as the General Notes to the import policy say.

Official fees

Fee	Official amount
Application for an export licence or SCOMET authorisation (restricted goods)	₹1,000Checked on official page SourceItem 2 of the scale of fees.
Application for an import licence or permission for a restricted item	₹1 per ₹1,000 of CIF value, minimum ₹500, maximum ₹1 lakhChecked on official page SourceItem 3 of the scale of fees.
Duplicate licence, or amendment or correction	₹200 eachChecked on official page Source

Fees and rules change and can differ between offices. Confirm the fee on the official portal before you pay. Amounts marked To confirm could not be checked on an official page.

Documents to keep ready

IEC
Details of the item with its 8-digit ITC (HS) code
Documents named in the policy condition for that code (for example a veterinary certificate or a licence from another ministry)
Invoice or proforma for the value of the import or export

Steps to apply

Find the 8-digit ITC (HS) code for your product. DGFT policy search
Read the policy: Free, Restricted, Prohibited or STE (state trading), and any policy conditions.
If restricted, apply for the licence or authorisation on the DGFT portal and pay the application fee. dgft.gov.in Fee: See fee table
If prohibited, you cannot trade the item. If it is STE, trade goes through the named state enterprise.
Also check other laws that apply, such as FSSAI, BIS, CDSCO and quarantine rules.

Where to apply

DGFT policy search: Search the import and export policy for any HS code
Schedule 1 General Notes: Import policy rules
Schedule 2 General Notes: Export policy rules

Govt License is not a government website. We never take government fees or apply for you.

SCOMET items

SCOMET means Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment and Technologies. Exports of SCOMET items are governed by Appendix 3 of the export schedule and need authorisation. Category 0 items fall under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962.

What the official lists show

DGFT's published lists name 407 restricted import codes (as on 12 June 2019) and 88 prohibited import codes (updated 12 June 2019). The chapter-wise export policy we read is the 2021 edition. Policies change by DGFT notification, so use the search page above for the current position of your code. Our chapter-by-chapter guide summarises the lists.

Common questions

How do I know if I can import or export an item?

Look up its 8-digit ITC (HS) code in DGFT's policy search. Imports and exports are free unless the schedule says prohibited, restricted or STE.

What is a restricted item?

One that can be traded only with a licence or authorisation from DGFT. Prohibited items cannot be traded.

What does a licence application cost?

DGFT's scale shows ₹1,000 for an export licence or SCOMET application and ₹1 per ₹1,000 of CIF value for an import licence, with a minimum of ₹500 and a maximum of ₹1 lakh.

Is the policy the only rule?

No. DGFT's General Notes say imported goods must also follow domestic laws, technical specifications, and environmental and safety norms.

Is Govt License a government website?

No. Govt License is an independent guide. We link to the official government portals where you apply and pay. Always confirm the fee on the portal before paying.