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 scrap containing hazardous substances

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 8549 91 00 (electrical and electronic waste and scrap containing primary cells, batteries, accumulators, mercury-switches, CRT glass, or components with cadmium, mercury, lead, or PCBs) is Restricted under the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), with mandatory compliance of the Hazardous Waste (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 and General Note 8(b) of the ITC (HS) Import Policy. Import requires Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF) permission and, for Schedule III Part A wastes, Prior Informed Consent from the exporting country.

What this is

HSN code

8549 91 00

Chapter

85 · Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof

Primary regulator

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

Customs documentation

MoEF permission from Ministry of Environment
Form 6 with test report from accredited laboratory
Prior Informed Consent from exporting country

Compliance steps

1
Determine the applicable Schedule under the Hazardous Waste (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 before filing the bill of entry. For Schedule III Part A wastes, obtain Prior Informed Consent from the exporting country and MoEF permission; for Schedule III Part B wastes, obtain MoEF permission as actual user; for Schedule III Part D wastes, ensure documents specified in Rule 13(2) and Schedule VIII are in order. Import of hazardous waste listed in Schedule VI is prohibited outright.
Para 8(b) of General Notes on Import Policy, ITC (HS) · Hazardous Waste (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 · Rule 6(1)(ii) and 6(2)
2
Accompany the consignment with Form 6 and a test report of analysis from a laboratory accredited or recognised by the exporting country, wherever applicable. If the customs officer harbours doubt about the analysis, independent verification of the test report may be ordered before out-of-charge.
Hazardous Waste (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 · Para 8(b) of General Notes, ITC (HS) Import Policy
3
For Schedule IV hazardous waste, verify compliance with Rule 6(1)(ii) and Rule 6(2) of the Hazardous Waste (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016. Establish actual-user status before importation; re-sale or diversion of restricted hazardous waste attracts confiscation and prosecution under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Rule 6(1)(ii) and Rule 6(2) of the Hazardous Waste (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is treating the consignment as a single regulatory category when the Hazardous Waste Rules differentiate sharply between Schedules III-A, III-B, III-D, IV, and VI — each carrying a distinct permission pathway, and Schedule VI triggering an absolute import prohibition. Importers who obtain MoEF permission under the wrong Schedule, or who classify Schedule VI waste as Schedule III-B, face seizure and confiscation independent of the ITC (HS) Restricted-import status; the actual-user condition must be documented before — not after — shipment dispatch.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8549 91 00 require BIS certification?

No, no BIS Quality Control Order covers electrical and electronic waste and scrap. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) Restricted policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade and mandatory compliance with the Hazardous Waste (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016, including MoEF permission and actual-user conditions.

What is the consequence of importing hazardous waste listed in Schedule VI under this tariff line?

Import of hazardous waste listed in Schedule VI of the Hazardous Waste (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 is prohibited; consignments are liable to outright seizure and re-export or confiscation with prosecution under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

Is Prior Informed Consent required for all hazardous waste imports under this HSN?

Prior Informed Consent from the exporting country is required only for hazardous waste listed in Schedule III Part A; for Schedule III Part B and Schedule IV wastes, MoEF permission and actual-user verification suffice without a separate Prior Informed Consent.

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