With maximum take-off weight more than 7 kg but not more than 25 kg

Unmanned aircraft (drones) 7 kg to 25 kg maximum take-off weight

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 8806 23 00 (unmanned aircraft with maximum take-off weight more than 7 kg but not more than 25 kg) is subject to the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) import authorisation regime under Revised Policy Condition No. 03 of Chapter 88, which prohibits import in Completely-Built-Up (CBU), Semi-Knocked-Down (SKD) or Completely-Knocked-Down (CKD) form except for enumerated categories. Authorised import is permitted only to government entities, recognised educational institutions, government-recognised R&D entities, and drone manufacturers for R&D purposes, or for defence and security purposes, in each case subject to DGFT import authorisation issued in consultation with the concerned line ministries.

What this is

HSN code

8806 23 00

Chapter

88 · Aircraft, spacecraft and parts thereof

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) Prohibited import policy, Revised Policy Condition No. 03, Chapter 88

Customs documentation

Import authorisation from DGFT
Line ministry concurrence from DGFT
Entity eligibility declaration to CBIC

Compliance steps

1
Confirm that the importing entity falls within one of the permitted categories — government entity, centrally or state-government recognised educational institution, government-recognised R&D entity, or drone manufacturer for R&D, or a defence and security importer. Entities outside these categories face an absolute prohibition; no authorisation is available to them.
DGFT Notification 54/2015-20 dated 09-02-2022 · Revised Policy Condition No. 03 of Chapter 88
2
Apply to DGFT for import authorisation before shipment. The authorisation is issued in consultation with the concerned line ministry; file the application with documentation establishing entity eligibility and the R&D or defence purpose. The consignment cannot be shipped or cleared without a current, valid DGFT import authorisation on record.
DGFT Notification 54/2015-20 dated 09-02-2022 · Revised Policy Condition No. 03 of Chapter 88

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is confusing the prohibition on complete drone units (CBU/SKD/CKD) with the free-import status of drone components: a consignment of assembled or semi-assembled drones arriving without a DGFT import authorisation will be detained and is liable to confiscation and monetary penalty under the Customs Act, 1962, regardless of whether the importer is otherwise a legitimate commercial operator. The component exemption applies only to parts in isolation, not to any form of assembled or knocked-down drone unit.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8806 23 00 require BIS certification?

No, no BIS Quality Control Order covers unmanned aircraft in this weight category. Import is instead governed by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under Revised Policy Condition No. 03 of Chapter 88, which prohibits CBU, SKD and CKD drone imports except for specified authorised categories.

Can a private commercial drone operator import assembled drones under this HSN?

No. Revised Policy Condition No. 03 of Chapter 88, per DGFT Notification 54/2015-20, restricts CBU, SKD and CKD drone imports to government entities, recognised educational and R&D institutions, drone manufacturers for R&D purposes, and defence and security importers; commercial operators do not qualify for import authorisation.

Are drone components also prohibited under this HSN regime?

No. Import of drone components is classified as Free under Revised Policy Condition No. 03 of Chapter 88; the Prohibited status and the DGFT import authorisation requirement apply only to drones in CBU, SKD or CKD form.

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