- Home
- Import and Export
- HS chapters
- Plastics and rubber
Import export policy: Plastics and rubber (HS 39 to 40)
Is import or export free, restricted or prohibited for plastics and rubber? HS chapters 39 to 40: what each covers, DGFT policy lines, which licences apply and FY 2025-26 trade.
Official sources checked: 2 Oct 2026
Section VII of the Harmonised System covers plastics and rubber. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39: Plastics | 7,597 | 22,232 | Free in general | 20 restricted code(s) |
| 40: Rubber | 5,075 | 4,975 | Free in general | 8 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.
"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 39: Plastics
Plastic raw materials, films, pipes, bags, packaging and plastic articles.
Exports from India
FY 2025-26: US$ 7,597 million, -6.9% on 2024-25. Largest destinations (US$ million): USA (1,367), UAE (476), Nepal (294), UK (293).
- No restricted, prohibited or STE line found for this chapter in the schedule we read.
Usually needed: Plexconcil
Imports into India
FY 2025-26: US$ 22,232 million, +0.5% on 2024-25. Largest sources (US$ million): China (6,711), South Korea (2,122), Singapore (1,496), Thailand (1,493).
- Restricted (20 codes): waste and scrap of plastic polymers (heading 3915).
Usually needed: Legal Metrology (if packed), DGFT policy lines
Chapter 40: Rubber
Natural and synthetic rubber, tyres, tubes and rubber articles.
Exports from India
FY 2025-26: US$ 5,075 million, +4.4% on 2024-25. Largest destinations (US$ million): USA (861), Germany (354), UAE (200), Brazil (199).
- No restricted, prohibited or STE line found for this chapter in the schedule we read.
Usually needed: CAPEXIL, Rubber Board
Imports into India
FY 2025-26: US$ 4,975 million, +7.4% on 2024-25. Largest sources (US$ million): Thailand (567), China (553), Malaysia (516), South Korea (429).
- Restricted: waste and scrap of rubber and used tyres of the kinds listed.
Usually needed: DGFT policy lines
Common questions
Is export of plastics and rubber free?
Is import of plastics and rubber free?
Where do I check the current policy?
Is Govt License a government website?
Related guides
Official sources for this page
- DGFT list of restricted items for import (407 codes, as on 12 June 2019)
- DGFT list of prohibited items for import (88 codes, updated 12 June 2019)
- DGFT ITC (HS) Schedule 2: chapter-wise Export Policy (2021 edition)
- DGFT ITC (HS) 2022 Schedule 1: General Notes regarding Import Policy
- DGFT ITC (HS) Schedule 2: General Notes to Export Policy
- DGFT Appendix 2T: list of Export Promotion Councils and Commodity Boards
- TradeStat, Department of Commerce (data from DGCI&S)
- DGFT ITC (HS) import and export policy search