Headgear for ballistic protection

Safety headgear for ballistic protection

PARTNER GOVERNMENT AGENCY CLEARANCE

HSN 6506 10 20 (Headgear for ballistic protection) carries a Free import policy under the ITC (HS) Schedule administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), applicable with effect from 26 November 2024, specifically for goods matching the product description "headgear for ballistic protection" under this CTI. Standard customs documentation and tariff classification accuracy apply at the bill-of-entry stage.

What this is

HSN code

6506 10 20

Chapter

65 · Headgear and parts thereof

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) Free import policy, Chapter 65 (w.e.f. 26-11-2024)

Customs documentation

Bill of entry from CBIC
Commercial invoice from exporter

Compliance steps

1
Confirm that the goods being imported precisely match the product description "headgear for ballistic protection" under CTI 6506 10 20. The Free import policy operative from 26 November 2024 is description-specific; any safety headgear not meeting this description may attract a different ITC (HS) policy treatment at the bill-of-entry stage.
ITC (HS) import policy for CTI 6506 10 20, w.e.f. 26-11-2024
2
File the bill of entry through CBIC with the correct 8-digit CTI and ensure the commercial documentation — invoice, packing list, and shipping bill — clearly describes the goods as ballistic-protection headgear. Misdescription or misclassification exposes the consignment to re-assessment and potential detention pending verification.
ITC (HS) import policy for CTI 6506 10 20, w.e.f. 26-11-2024

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is importing general safety headgear — industrial hard hats, construction helmets, sports helmets — under CTI 6506 10 20 on the basis that any safety headgear qualifies for the Free policy. The Free-import status is strictly conditional on the goods being headgear for ballistic protection; any other safety headgear falling within the 6506 10 subheading may be subject to a different policy condition, and a misdescription finding at assessment results in consignment detention pending reclassification.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 6506 10 20 require BIS certification?

No, no BIS Quality Control Order covers headgear for ballistic protection under this tariff line. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) Free import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, operative with effect from 26 November 2024, subject to the goods matching the specified product description.

Was import of ballistic protection headgear under CTI 6506 10 20 always Free?

No. The Free import policy for headgear for ballistic protection under this CTI took effect from 26 November 2024; importers should confirm the applicable policy for consignments shipped or assessed before that date.

Does the Free import policy apply to all safety headgear classified under the 6506 10 subheading?

No. The Free policy is description-specific and applies only to headgear for ballistic protection; other safety headgear under the broader 6506 10 safety-headgear subheading may be subject to different ITC (HS) policy conditions.

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