With maximum take-off weight not more than 250 g

Unmanned aircraft (drones) with maximum take-off weight up to 250 g

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 8806 91 00 (unmanned aircraft with maximum take-off weight not more than 250 g) is subject to a Prohibited import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the ITC (HS) import policy, Chapter 88. Import in Completely-Built-Up, Semi-Knocked-Down, or Completely-Knocked-Down form is prohibited except for government entities, recognised educational institutions, government-recognised R&D entities, and drone manufacturers — each requiring a DGFT import authorisation issued in consultation with the concerned line ministry.

What this is

HSN code

8806 91 00

Chapter

88 · Aircraft, spacecraft and parts thereof

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) Prohibited import policy, Chapter 88, Policy Condition 03

Customs documentation

Import authorisation from DGFT
Line ministry concurrence from DGFT
ITC (HS) policy exemption declaration

Compliance steps

1
Confirm whether the import falls within a permitted exemption category — government entity, central- or state-government-recognised educational institution, government-recognised R&D entity, drone manufacturer for R&D, or defence and security purpose. Any import outside these categories in CBU, SKD, or CKD form is Prohibited and will be detained and liable to confiscation at the port of entry.
DGFT Notification 54/2015-20 dated 09-02-2022 · ITC (HS) Chapter 88, Policy Condition 03
2
Obtain a DGFT import authorisation issued in consultation with the concerned line ministry before shipment. The authorisation must be current and uploaded in e-Sanchit at the bill of entry; consignments arriving without a valid authorisation cannot be cleared and are subject to re-export or confiscation.
DGFT Notification 54/2015-20 dated 09-02-2022 · ITC (HS) Chapter 88, Policy Condition 03

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is conflating the Prohibited status for CBU, SKD, and CKD drone imports with the Free status for drone components: only components (not assembled or partially assembled units) may be imported freely. Importers who disassemble a CBU drone and declare the shipment as components remain exposed to misdeclaration proceedings under the Customs Act, 1962, since the test is whether the goods constitute a drone in CBU, SKD, or CKD form at the point of import, not their post-import state.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8806 91 00 require BIS certification?

No, this tariff line is not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) Prohibited import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under Policy Condition 03 of Chapter 88, with narrow exemptions requiring a DGFT import authorisation.

Are drone components also prohibited under this policy condition?

No. Policy Condition 03 of Chapter 88, as notified by DGFT Notification 54/2015-20 dated 09-02-2022, explicitly permits import of drone components on a Free basis; the Prohibited status applies only to CBU, SKD, and CKD drone units.

What authorisation is required for a drone manufacturer importing for R&D purposes?

A drone manufacturer importing in CBU, SKD, or CKD form for R&D must obtain a DGFT import authorisation issued in consultation with the concerned line ministry before shipment, per DGFT Notification 54/2015-20 dated 09-02-2022.

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