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Import export policy for all HS chapters

Summary of every HS chapter from 1 to 97: what it covers, whether import or export is free, restricted or prohibited under DGFT's lists, which licences apply, and FY 2025-26 trade values.

Official sources checked: 2 Oct 2026

The Harmonised System groups goods into 97 chapters in 21 sections. Pick your section to see each chapter's import and export policy, the India-side licences, and the official trade values.

SectionChaptersExports, US$ millionImports, US$ million
Section I: Live animals and animal products1 to 513,549462
Section II: Plant products6 to 1425,51212,565
Section III: Animal and vegetable fats and oils152,22819,777
Section IV: Prepared foods, beverages, spirits and tobacco16 to 2412,4285,687
Section V: Mineral products25 to 2760,2922,19,107
Section VI: Chemicals and allied products28 to 3865,15973,755
Section VII: Plastics and rubber39 to 4012,67227,207
Section VIII: Hides, leather and furskins41 to 433,049930
Section IX: Wood, cork and basketware44 to 466652,420
Section X: Pulp, paper and printed matter47 to 493,0676,635
Section XI: Textiles and garments50 to 6336,18411,420
Section XII: Footwear, headgear and umbrellas64 to 673,252753
Section XIII: Stone, ceramics and glass68 to 705,9045,330
Section XIV: Pearls, precious stones and metals, jewellery7128,3441,09,429
Section XV: Base metals and their articles72 to 8335,95952,020
Section XVI: Machinery and electrical equipment84 to 8590,6061,78,827
Section XVII: Vehicles, aircraft and ships86 to 8932,25428,385
Section XVIII: Instruments, clocks and musical instruments90 to 925,82216,231
Section XIX: Arms and ammunition93525117
Section XX: Furniture, toys and miscellaneous goods94 to 963,7933,250
Section XXI: Works of art and antiques97176286

Trade values are in US$ million for the financial year 2025-26 (April 2025 to March 2026), as published by TradeStat, Department of Commerce (data from DGCI&S) and fetched on 2026-10-02. They can be revised later. Shares and changes are calculated from those figures. Year-on-year change compares 2025-26 with 2024-25.

Before you rely on this

Policy changes by DGFT notification. The lists we read are DGFT's restricted and prohibited import lists (12 June 2019) and the chapter-wise export schedule (2021 edition). Chapter 77 is not used in the Harmonised System. Chapters 98 and 99 are special-use codes. For the current position of your 8-digit code, use DGFT's policy search.

Common questions

How many HS chapters are there?
The Harmonised System has 97 chapters in use (chapter 77 is not used), grouped into 21 sections. India adds more digits to make 8-digit ITC (HS) codes.
Where do I find my 8-digit code?
On DGFT's ITC (HS) policy search, which shows the import and export policy for each code.
What does STE mean?
State trading enterprise. For STE items, trade goes through the state enterprise DGFT names, such as MMTC for some ores.
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.
Section I: Live animals and animal products Section II: Plant products Section III: Animal and vegetable fats and oils Section IV: Prepared foods, beverages, spirits and tobacco Section V: Mineral products Section VI: Chemicals and allied products Section VII: Plastics and rubber Section VIII: Hides, leather and furskins Section IX: Wood, cork and basketware Section X: Pulp, paper and printed matter Section XI: Textiles and garments Section XII: Footwear, headgear and umbrellas Section XIII: Stone, ceramics and glass Section XIV: Pearls, precious stones and metals, jewellery Section XV: Base metals and their articles Section XVI: Machinery and electrical equipment Section XVII: Vehicles, aircraft and ships Section XVIII: Instruments, clocks and musical instruments Section XIX: Arms and ammunition Section XX: Furniture, toys and miscellaneous goods Section XXI: Works of art and antiques

Official sources for this page