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Works of art and antiques

Import export policy: Works of art and antiques (HS 97)

Is import or export free, restricted or prohibited for works of art and antiques? HS chapters 97 to 97: what each covers, DGFT policy lines, which licences apply and FY 2025-26.

Official sources checked: 2 Oct 2026

Section XXI of the Harmonised System covers works of art and antiques. For each chapter below you see what it covers, whether export or import is free, restricted or prohibited in the DGFT documents we read, which India-side licences usually apply, and the official trade values for FY 2025-26.

HS chapter	Exports, US$ million	Imports, US$ million	Export policy	Import policy
97: Works of art and antiques	176	286	Free in general	2 restricted code(s)

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.

How to read the policy columns

"Free in general" means we found no restricted, prohibited or STE line for this chapter. Policy changes by DGFT notification. The import notes come from DGFT's lists of restricted (407 codes) and prohibited (88 codes) imports, both as on 12 June 2019. The export notes come from DGFT's chapter-wise export schedule, 2021 edition. Check your 8-digit code on DGFT's policy search for the current position.

Chapter by chapter

Chapter 97: Works of art and antiques

Paintings, sculptures, stamps and antiques over 100 years old.

Exports from India

FY 2025-26: US$ 176 million, +10.5% on 2024-25. Largest destinations (US$ million): USA (71), UK (47), UAE (15), Hong Kong (14).

No restricted, prohibited or STE line found for this chapter in the schedule we read.

Usually needed: FIEO

Imports into India

FY 2025-26: US$ 286 million, +6.2% on 2024-25. Largest sources (US$ million): UK (121), USA (93), UAE (15), Italy (10).

Restricted: stuffed animals and birds.

Usually needed: DGFT policy lines

Common questions

Is export of works of art and antiques free?

Generally yes, except the prohibited, restricted and STE lines shown for each chapter. We found no restricted, prohibited or STE line for these chapters in the schedule we read.

Is import of works of art and antiques free?

Generally yes, except the codes on DGFT's restricted and prohibited lists. For these chapters the 2019 lists show 2 restricted and 0 prohibited codes.

Where do I check the current policy?

On DGFT's ITC (HS) policy search for your 8-digit code. Policy changes by notification.

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.