Fuel elements (cartridges), non-irradiated

Non-irradiated nuclear fuel elements (cartridges) for reactors

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 8401 30 00 (Fuel elements (cartridges), non-irradiated) is subject to the ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), with import permitted only on the recommendation of the Department of Atomic Energy. No consignment of non-irradiated nuclear fuel cartridges may clear customs without a prior DAE recommendation in place.

What this is

HSN code

8401 30 00

Chapter

84 · Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) Restricted import policy, Chapter 84 (DAE recommendation required)

Customs documentation

Recommendation letter from Department of Atomic Energy
Import Licence from DGFT
ITC (HS) policy compliance declaration

Compliance steps

1
Obtain a formal recommendation from the Department of Atomic Energy before placing the import order. This recommendation is the operative gateway under the ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy for radioactive materials and non-irradiated nuclear fuel elements; the DGFT will not issue the necessary import clearance without it.
ITC (HS) Restricted import policy, Chapter 84 · DGFT policy condition for radioactive materials
2
File the bill of entry with the DAE recommendation and the DGFT import authorisation uploaded in e-Sanchit. The customs proper officer must verify both documents before granting out-of-charge; consignments arriving without the DAE recommendation are liable to detention and re-export.
ITC (HS) Restricted import policy, Chapter 84

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is commencing procurement and shipment before the Department of Atomic Energy recommendation is formally issued and converted into a DGFT import authorisation. Nuclear fuel cartridges arriving at port without a current DAE recommendation have no lawful import basis under the Restricted-import regime; detention, demurrage, and compulsory re-export follow, with no provision for post-arrival regularisation.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8401 30 00 require BIS certification?

No, non-irradiated nuclear fuel elements are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, with import permitted only on the recommendation of the Department of Atomic Energy.

Is the Department of Atomic Energy recommendation sufficient to clear customs, or is a separate DGFT licence also required?

Both are required: the DAE recommendation is the prerequisite, and the DGFT import authorisation converting that recommendation into a formal licence is the instrument presented at the bill-of-entry stage.

Does the Restricted-import status apply to non-irradiated fuel elements only, or to all goods under heading 8401?

The ITC (HS) policy and the DAE-recommendation requirement apply specifically to radioactive materials including non-irradiated nuclear fuel cartridges; other subheadings under heading 8401 carry separate policy conditions and should be verified independently.

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