Electric detonators

Electric detonators, initiating explosives (Class 6 Division 3)

PESO CLEARANCE

HSN 3603 60 00 (Electric detonators) is subject to Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) Form LE-8 licensing under the Explosives Rules, 2008, and is classified as Restricted under the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under Policy Condition No. 1 of Chapter 36. Critically, S.O. 4524(E) dated 03-10-2025 prohibits the manufacture, possession, sale, and import of Electric Detonators of Class 6 Division 3 or UN Class 1 Division 1 throughout India with effect from 1 July 2025, subject to narrow carve-outs for coal-mine delay detonators, oil-well logging, and seismic survey operations (extended until 31 December 2025) and low-resistance electric detonators for Indian Army electronic point detonating fuse production.

What this is

HSN code

3603 60 00

Chapter

36 · Explosives; pyrotechnic products; matches; pyrophoric alloys; certain combustible preparations

Primary regulator

PESO · Explosives Rules, 2008; S.O. 4524(E) dated 03-10-2025 (prohibition order)

Customs documentation

Form LE-8 licence from PESO
Specified-port declaration to CBIC
ITC (HS) policy compliance from DGFT

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

PESOPESO·Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation

Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

Compliance steps

1
Verify that the specific sub-category of electric detonator falls within a permissible carve-out before any import action is taken. Import of Electric Detonators of Class 6 Division 3 or UN Class 1 Division 1 is prohibited from 1 July 2025 per S.O. 4524(E) dated 03-10-2025; only permitted delay detonators for coal mines, detonators for oil-well logging or seismic survey by oil and gas operators (until 31 December 2025), and low-resistance electric detonators for Indian Army electronic point detonating fuse production are exempt from the prohibition.
S.O. 4524(E) dated 03-10-2025 · S.O. 4255(E) dated 29-09-2023 · S.O. 1563(E) dated 02-04-2025 · S.O. 2920(E) dated 01-07-2025 · ITC (HS) Policy Condition No. 1 of Chapter 36
2
Obtain a Form LE-8 licence from PESO covering the category, quantity, and end-use of the detonators to be imported. Upload the licence in e-Sanchit under document code 911PE1 before filing the bill of entry; customs out-of-charge will not be granted until the document is verified in e-Sanchit.
Explosives Rules, 2008 · Form LE-8 · Document code 911PE1
3
Route the consignment exclusively through a specified port notified under Rule 44 of the Explosives Rules, 2008, and ensure compliance with Rules 7, 14, 15 and 45 of the Explosives Rules, 2008 governing import, transport, storage, and handling. Deviation to an unspecified port renders the consignment liable to seizure regardless of licence validity.
Rule 44, Rules 7, 14, 15 and 45 of the Explosives Rules, 2008

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is proceeding on the assumption that a current Form LE-8 licence suffices when the overarching prohibition under S.O. 4524(E) dated 03-10-2025 has already extinguished the lawful import basis for the majority of electric detonator sub-types. An importer relying on a carve-out — coal mine, oil-well logging, or seismic survey — must document the specific end-use and operator identity in the bill of entry; a generalised claim to 'permitted use' will not prevent detention at the specified port.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 3603 60 00 require BIS certification?

No, electric detonators fall outside the BIS Quality Control Order regime; no BIS QCO covers this product family. Import is governed by Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation licensing under the Explosives Rules, 2008, and is subject to the near-total prohibition on Class 6 Division 3 electric detonators under S.O. 4524(E) dated 03-10-2025.

Are any electric detonator imports still permitted after 1 July 2025?

Yes, but narrowly: permitted delay detonators for coal-mine use and detonators for oil-well logging or seismic survey by oil and gas operators remain importable until 31 December 2025, and low-resistance electric detonators for Indian Army electronic point detonating fuse production are permitted until that requirement is met or a further departmental order is issued, per S.O. 4524(E) dated 03-10-2025.

What happens if the consignment is routed through a port not notified under Rule 44 of the Explosives Rules, 2008?

Routing through an unspecified port renders the import unlawful under the Explosives Rules, 2008, and the consignment is liable to seizure under the Explosives Act, 1884 irrespective of whether the Form LE-8 licence is otherwise current and valid.

Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-16. Source: PESO / DGFT / Indian Customs CUSDATA.