Containing primary cells, primary batteries, electric accumulators, mercury switches, glass from cathode-ray tubes or other activated glass, or electrical or electronic components containing cadmium, mercury, lead or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

Electrical and electronic waste containing hazardous substances

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 8549 21 00 (electrical and electronic waste containing primary cells, batteries, mercury switches, or components with cadmium, mercury, lead, or PCBs) is subject to the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) Restricted-import policy under the ITC (HS) Import Policy and must comply with the Hazardous Waste (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016. Import requires MoEF permission and, where applicable, prior informed consent, with the consignment schedule under the Rules determining the operative documentary and actual-user conditions.

What this is

HSN code

8549 21 00

Chapter

85 · Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) Restricted import policy; Hazardous Waste (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016

Customs documentation

MoEF permission from MoEF
Form 6 with test report from accredited lab
Actual-user declaration to CBIC

Compliance steps

1
Determine the applicable Schedule under the Hazardous Waste (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016. For Part A of Schedule III, obtain MoEF permission, verify prior informed consent, and confirm actual-user status. For Part B of Schedule III, obtain MoEF permission and confirm actual-user status. For Part D of Schedule III, comply with Rule 13(2) and Schedule VIII documentation. Import of hazardous waste listed in Schedule VI is absolutely prohibited.
Para 8(b) of General Notes, ITC (HS) Import Policy · Hazardous Waste (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 · Schedule III Parts A, B, D; Schedule VI; Rule 13(2); Schedule VIII
2
Ensure the consignment is accompanied by Form 6 and a test report of analysis from a laboratory accredited or recognised by the exporting country, wherever applicable. Customs may independently verify the analysis or test report if any doubt arises regarding the hazardous-waste classification or composition.
Hazardous Waste (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 · Para 8(b) of General Notes, ITC (HS) Import Policy
3
For hazardous waste listed in Schedule IV, confirm compliance with Rule 6(1)(ii) and Rule 6(2) of the Hazardous Waste (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 before filing the bill of entry. Non-compliance with Schedule IV conditions constitutes a separate Restricted-import violation.
Rule 6(1)(ii) and Rule 6(2) of the Hazardous Waste (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016

A word of counsel

The most frequent error on this tariff line is conflating the schedule categories: importers assume that obtaining MoEF permission satisfies all conditions uniformly across Parts A, B, and D of Schedule III, when in fact the prior informed consent requirement applies exclusively to Part A and Schedule VIII documentation obligations attach only to Part D. Filing a bill of entry with mismatched documents for the applicable schedule triggers detention, and any consignment that falls within Schedule VI is liable to outright confiscation as a prohibited import under the Hazardous Waste Rules.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8549 21 00 require BIS certification?

No, electrical and electronic waste is not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade Restricted-import policy under the ITC (HS) Import Policy, with mandatory compliance of the Hazardous Waste (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 and MoEF permission requirements.

Is Form 6 required for every shipment under this HSN?

Form 6 and a test report from a laboratory accredited or recognised by the exporting country are required wherever applicable under the Hazardous Waste (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016; customs retains the right to independently verify the analysis in cases of doubt.

What happens if the waste is classified under Schedule VI of the Hazardous Waste Rules?

Import of hazardous waste listed in Schedule VI is prohibited; a consignment found to contain Schedule VI waste is liable to seizure and confiscation, with no avenue for MoEF permission or prior informed consent to regularise the import.

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