Ship signals

Ship signals, pyrotechnic signalling articles

PESO CLEARANCE

HSN 3604 90 10 (Ship signals) is subject to Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) Form LE-8 licensing under the Explosives Rules, 2008. The tariff line is Restricted under the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), and import is permitted only through specified ports notified under Rule 44 of the Explosives Rules, 2008.

What this is

HSN code

3604 90 10

Chapter

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

Primary regulator

PESO · Explosives Rules, 2008

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
Obtain a current Form LE-8 licence from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation covering the category and quantity of ship signals 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 without this upload.
Explosives Rules, 2008 · Form LE-8 · ITC (HS) Restricted import policy, Chapter 36
2
Route the consignment exclusively through a PESO-notified specified port under Rule 44 of the Explosives Rules, 2008. Arrival at an unspecified port renders the consignment liable to seizure; no post-arrival diversion is permitted.
Rule 44 of the Explosives Rules, 2008
3
Confirm compliance with Rules 7, 14, 15 and 45 of the Explosives Rules, 2008, governing transport, storage, and handling of imported explosives. Non-conformance is treated as a separate licence violation independent of the Form LE-8 clearance.
Rules 7, 14, 15 and 45 of the Explosives Rules, 2008

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is assuming that ship signals, as maritime safety equipment, attract a lighter compliance standard than general explosives. They do not — ship signals fall squarely within the definition of explosives under the Explosives Rules, 2008, and the full Form LE-8 licensing regime, specified-port restriction, and Rules 7, 14, 15 and 45 obligations apply without any carve-out for maritime or safety-equipment use.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 3604 90 10 require BIS certification?

No, ship signals are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime; no BIS QCO covers pyrotechnic signalling articles under Chapter 36. Import is governed by Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation licensing under the Explosives Rules, 2008, with the ITC (HS) Restricted-import overlay administered by DGFT.

Which ports are permitted for import of ship signals under this tariff line?

Import is permitted only through specified ports notified under Rule 44 of the Explosives Rules, 2008; the active port list is maintained by PESO and must be verified before the purchase order is placed.

What happens if the Form LE-8 licence has expired at the time of filing the bill of entry?

An expired Form LE-8 means the mandatory document upload in e-Sanchit cannot be completed, and the customs proper officer will not grant out-of-charge; the consignment faces detention, with demurrage and ground rent accruing until a valid licence is produced or the goods are re-exported.

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