Not all products may be allowed to be imported into India without restriction. A great deal of what a company imports will fall under the “free” import classification; however, there are numerous products that have been designated as “restricted” products, and thus are subject to prior authorization from the Indian government before they can be brought into the country.
There are three main reasons why certain products are classified as “restricted”: security, environmental protection and/or the health, safety and welfare of the general public and/or for domestic economic reasons. The official classification of “restricted” products is found on the ITC-HS (Indian Trade Classification – Harmonized System), a list of classifications created and maintained by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). Businesses engaged in the international movement of products must understand which products are listed as “restricted”.
What Are Restricted Products in India?
Restricted products are goods that may be imported, subject to obtaining an import license or authorization from the government. The government controls these items in order to monitor and enforce compliance with national regulations regarding their use. Imports of products in India are categorized as follows:
- Free Imports
- Restricted Imports
- Prohibited Imports
- State Trading Enterprise (STE) Imports
As such, restricted goods fall somewhere between free imports and prohibited imports. The government allows imports of these goods; however, prior to making them available for import, the importer must obtain an import authorization.
Know more about Restricted Import License here
Why Certain Products Are Restricted
Governments regulate various types of imports for a number of significant reasons.
National Defence
Imports that could affect defence technology, communications, or surveillance capabilities are strictly regulated.
Environmental Protection
The importation of hazardous chemicals, products that deplete the ozone layer, and other forms of industrial waste is limited in an effort to protect the environment from harm.
Public Health and Safety
All medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and biological agents must pass through a strict regulatory process prior to being allowed into the country.
Domestic Industry Protection
Imports are restricted when they would provide foreign manufacturers with an unfair competitive advantage over domestic manufacturers.
Strategic Materials Control
Precious metals, defence-related technologies and sensitive electronic components are subject to regulation to protect national economic stability.
Major Categories of Restricted Products in India
India’s restricted import list spans many industries. Below are the most common categories of restricted products.
Used Machinery and Second-Hand Equipment
Imports of second-hand machinery are closely regulated.
Examples include:
- Used textile manufacturing machines
- Refurbished printing equipment
- Pre-owned factory production machines
- Second-hand power generators
- Used construction equipment
These items may require technical certification before import to ensure they meet safety and performance standards.
Drones and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Drones are considered sensitive equipment because they can be used for surveillance or defence purposes.
Restricted imports may include:
- Commercial drones
- Agricultural spraying drones
- Mapping and surveying drones
- Drone components and flight controllers
Such equipment often requires multiple approvals from government agencies.
Hazardous Chemicals and Industrial Compounds
Many industrial chemicals are restricted due to environmental and safety concerns.
Examples include:
- Toxic laboratory chemicals
- Chemical manufacturing precursors
- Hazardous industrial solvents
- Substances that damage the ozone layer
Some environmental-sensitive substances like hydrofluorocarbons are regulated to prevent environmental damage.
Medical Devices and Diagnostic Equipment
Certain healthcare equipment is restricted to ensure quality and safety.
Examples include:
- Diagnostic imaging machines
- Specialized laboratory testing equipment
- Surgical instruments
- Used medical devices
These products often require certification and regulatory clearance.
Agricultural Seeds and Biological Materials
Imports that affect agriculture are heavily regulated.
Examples include:
- Seeds and planting materials
- Plant tissue cultures
- Fertilizers and agricultural chemicals
- Biological research materials
These restrictions protect the country’s agriculture from pests and diseases.
Electronics and Communication Equipment
Certain electronics are restricted due to cybersecurity and telecom regulations.
Examples include:
- Wireless communication transmitters
- Satellite communication equipment
- Encryption devices
- Surveillance systems
Some computer hardware categories have also been placed under restricted import conditions in recent policy updates.
Precious Metals and Jewellery
Imports of precious metals are monitored because they influence the country’s financial stability.
Restricted items may include:
- Gold dore bars
- Silver bullion
- Precious metal scrap
- Certain jewellery categories
Policy changes often regulate these imports to control trade flows.
Defence and Strategic Equipment
Items connected with national security are strictly controlled.
Examples include:
- Military electronics
- Strategic navigation systems
- Aerospace components
- Defence communication equipment
Importing such products without permission can lead to serious penalties.
Animals, Wildlife and Biological Products
Certain live animals and wildlife-related products are also restricted.
Examples include:
- Live animals for research or breeding
- Wildlife products
- Biological samples
These restrictions protect biodiversity and prevent illegal wildlife trade.
Waste, Scrap and Recyclable Materials
Imports of scrap materials are monitored to prevent hazardous waste from entering the country.
Examples include:
- Metal scrap
- Lead battery scrap
- Electronic waste
- Industrial waste materials
Authorities regulate these imports to avoid environmental contamination.
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Examples of Real Restricted Products
Some commonly encountered restricted imports include:
- New pneumatic tyres
- Television sets
- Mercury
- Biofuels
- Power tillers and components
- Certain cereals and agricultural products
- Used goods other than capital goods
These examples illustrate how diverse the restricted category can be across industries.
Key Products Added to India’s Restricted Import List (2023–2025 Updates)
India’s import policy has seen significant changes between 2023 and 2025, with the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) shifting several high-impact product categories from “Free” to “Restricted.” These changes are driven by the need to strengthen domestic manufacturing, regulate sensitive imports, and improve compliance oversight.
Below are the most important product categories where restrictions have been introduced or tightened:
1. IT Hardware & Electronics
- Laptops, tablets, personal computers, and servers
- All-in-one PCs and ultra-small form factor devices
These products now fall under stricter import control through the IT Hardware Import Management System (IMS). Importers must obtain prior registration or authorisation before shipment, aligning with India’s push for domestic electronics manufacturing under the “Make in India” initiative.
2. Telecom and Wireless Equipment
- Wireless communication devices
- Radio frequency equipment
- Satellite communication systems
Imports of such equipment require approvals from the Wireless Planning & Coordination (WPC) Wing, along with Equipment Type Approval (ETA) in many cases. This ensures compliance with India’s telecom and cybersecurity regulations.
3. Solar Cells and Modules
- Solar photovoltaic (PV) cells
- Solar modules and panels
These imports are subject to regulatory controls such as compliance with the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM), aimed at promoting domestic manufacturing and ensuring quality standards in renewable energy projects.
4. Textile and Fabric Imports
- Synthetic knitted fabrics
- Cotton and man-made fibre textiles
These items are subject to restrictions such as Minimum Import Price (MIP) conditions and monitoring mechanisms to protect the domestic textile industry from low-cost imports.
5. Pulses and Agricultural Commodities
- Yellow peas (with MIP and port restrictions)
- Toor dal, urad dal, and moong dal (under quota systems)
- Wheat, rice, and certain edible oils (subject to periodic policy controls)
These restrictions are frequently revised to stabilise domestic prices and safeguard farmer interests.
6. Precious Metals and Bullion
- Gold dore and refined gold
- Silver bullion
Imports are permitted only through nominated agencies or authorised channels, ensuring tighter control over foreign exchange outflows and trade balance.
7. Hazardous Chemicals and Environment-Sensitive Goods
- Mercury and mercury compounds
- Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
- Select industrial chemicals and controlled substances
These restrictions align with environmental regulations and international commitments to control hazardous and ozone-depleting substances.
8. Scrap, Waste, and Recyclable Materials
- Metal scrap (including lead, zinc, and aluminium residues)
- Waste oils and hazardous industrial by-products
Strict import conditions are enforced to prevent environmental damage and ensure safe recycling practices.
FAQ
1. Is e-BRC automatically generated?
It is system-driven but depends on proper reporting by the AD Bank.
2. Who reports export realisation?
The Authorised Dealer (AD) Bank through RBI’s EDPMS system.
3. Can e-BRC be amended?
4. What happens in case of partial realisation?
The system reflects partial closure, and full compliance requires complete realisation.
5. Is self-certification applicable to all schemes?
No, it is scheme-specific and subject to DGFT guidelines.
Important Note
Apart from the categories of regulated products and services identified in previous sections, there is a host of other products including second-hand items (except for Capital Goods), seeds, planting material and controlled substances (including drugs/narcotics/psychotropics) that are subject to limited or restricted import conditions. Some products, namely electronics, toys and appliances require BIS certification prior to shipment and failure to meet certification standards can result in clearance issues at Customs or even outright rejection. Businesses should therefore continually monitor and review the current version of the ITC-HS Schedule and relevant Policy Circulars of DGFT to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements prior to commencing imports.
How Businesses Identify Restricted Products
Importers will typically use the ITC-HS classification system for determining if a product has been placed under restriction.
They usually follow these steps when determining if a product has restrictions:
- Locate the correct Harmonized System (HS) Code for the product
- Verify the ITC-HS import policy schedule for the identified product
- Determine if the product is classified as either free, restricted, or prohibited
There are thousands of product codes found on the ITC-HS Schedule which governs the regulation of both importing and exporting goods from India.
Import Authorisation for Restricted Products
Restricted products are subject to approval by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), prior to being imported into India. Approval in this context is referred to as Restricted Import Authorisation.
The license will normally include information such as:
- Details of the product to be imported along with its HS Code
- The amount that may be imported
- The time frame during which the license is valid
- The port at which the product may be cleared
- Specific regulations or restrictions that must be met
How Afleo Group Simplifies Restricted Imports
In order to manage Restricted Imports in India properly, there is a need for more than proper documentation. There is a need for an accurate and current understanding of changing DGFT Regulations and the proper classification of products, as well as obtaining timely approvals. The smallest of errors will lead to delayed shipments, fines/penalties, or outright rejection of shipments at Customs.
Afleo Group provides companies with the assurance of a compliant relationship by navigating this complexity with confidence.
End-to-End Support Offered by Afleo Group:
- Accurate classification of products according to the ITC-HS nomenclature (HS code) in order to be able to avoid potential legal consequences related to compliance.
- Assisting with obtaining an authorisation from the DGFT to import goods subject to restrictions.
- Providing advice on DGFT notifications, updates to policies and current conditions of imports.
- Documentation and compliance management (preparing and verifying all necessary documentation) in accordance with regulatory requirements.
- Support for customs and clearance procedures in order to minimize delays, avoid potential fines and to ensure a smooth clearance of cargo.
With extensive knowledge of India’s regulations on imports, the Afleo Group provides companies with the opportunity to optimize the management of their import operations, as well as mitigate compliance risks and allow them to grow without encountering regulatory obstacles.
Conclusion
Restricted Imports make up an important part of India’s trade regulations; they help ensure that imported goods meet India’s environmental, health and economic standards by limiting the types of dangerous or non-compliant items that can enter India. Because so many products from different industries have restrictions on them (i.e. over 300), all importers must check the most current ITC-HS classification code for their imported item(s) before placing orders internationally to avoid shipments being delayed, a penalty being assessed upon entry into India, or confiscated at customs.