Containing less than 1 part hafnium to 500 parts zirconium by weight
Zirconium unwrought, nuclear-grade (low hafnium content)
HSN 8109 31 00 (Zirconium containing less than 1 part hafnium to 500 parts zirconium by weight) is classified as Restricted under the ITC (HS) Import Policy, with import governed by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the Foreign Trade Policy and Handbook of Procedures. Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirements, specified-port clearance conditions under Para 2.54 of the Handbook of Procedures, and radioactive-contamination screening obligations under DGFT Public Notice 37/2015-20 apply as mandatory overlays.
- Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from DGFT-registered PSIA
- Radioactive contamination clearance from customs
- Import Licence from DGFT
- 1Obtain a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate (PSIC) from a DGFT-recognised Pre-Shipment Inspection Agency in the exporting country. The PSIC must be generated online through the DGFT portal — PSICs not generated through the DGFT online system on or after 1 July 2022 are not accepted by Indian Customs. Upload the PSIC in e-Sanchit under document code 856001 before filing the bill of entry.DGFT Trade Notice 03/2022-23 dated 26-04-2022 · Para 2.54 and 2.55 of FTP Handbook of Procedures
- 2Route the consignment only through a specified port or location notified under Para 2.54 of the Handbook of Procedures. If importing from a country not classified as a safe country or region, a PSIC is mandatory regardless of port; imports from safe countries or regions through specified ports are exempt from the PSIC requirement.DGFT Public Notice 64/2015-20 dated 19-02-2020 · DGFT Public Notice 46/2015-20 dated 14-01-2022
- 3Comply with the SOP for random radioactive-contamination checking of imported metal-scrap consignments as set out in the Annexure to DGFT Public Notice 37/2015-20. Where the consignment constitutes waste, ensure compliance with Rules 11, 12 and 13 of the Hazardous Waste (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 and submit valid Forms 2, 6, 7 and 9 along with Schedule III, VI and VIII documentation.DGFT Public Notice 37/2015-20 dated 15-11-2021 · Para 8(B) of General Notes to ITC (HS) Import Policy · Hazardous Waste (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016
The most common error on this tariff line is overlooking the distinction between nuclear-grade zirconium metal and zirconium scrap: the PSIC and radioactive-contamination SOP obligations attach to scrap and waste sub-categories, while the Restricted-import status and the DGFT online PSIC generation requirement apply across the tariff line. An importer who sources from a nominally safe country and relies on port-of-entry exemption from PSIC — without confirming both the safe-country classification and the specified-port routing — faces consignment detention at customs pending DGFT policy verification.