DGFT Issues Clarification on Restricted Import Licences — Chemicals, Waste, and Hazardous Goods

Restricted Import/Export Licence: DGFT Clarifies Procedure for Controlled Goods

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has issued Policy Circular No. 42/2025 clarifying the procedure and documentation requirements for obtaining Restricted Import and Export Licences under Schedule 2 of the ITC (HS) Classification. This clarification is particularly relevant for importers and exporters dealing in hazardous chemicals, industrial and electronic waste, ozone-depleting substances (ODS), and goods regulated under multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs).

Categories Requiring Restricted Licence

• Hazardous chemicals: Chemicals listed under the Rotterdam Convention (Prior Informed Consent procedure) — including certain pesticides and industrial chemicals — require a DGFT restricted import licence supported by a Prior Informed Consent (PIC) certificate from the exporting country's national authority.
• Basel Convention waste: Import of hazardous and electronic waste (e-waste) for recycling requires prior written consent from CPCB and a DGFT licence. Export of hazardous waste to non-OECD countries is generally prohibited.
• Ozone-depleting substances (ODS): Import/export of HCFCs, HFCs, and other ODS-listed substances requires a DGFT licence coordinated with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) under the Montreal Protocol.
• CITES-listed species: Import/export of wildlife, plants, and their derivatives listed under CITES requires a CITES permit from the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) before a DGFT licence is issued.

Documentation Required

Applications for Restricted Import/Export Licences must be submitted on the DGFT portal with the following: IEC, GST registration, end-use declaration, NOC from relevant ministry/department (MoEFCC, CPCB, WCCB as applicable), prior informed consent or equivalent international certificate, and a justified quantity requirement. Samarth EXIM provides complete guidance and application support for restricted licence procedures.