With maximum take-off weight more than 250 g but not more than 7 kg

Unmanned aircraft (drones) 250 g to 7 kg maximum take-off weight

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 8806 92 00 (unmanned aircraft with maximum take-off weight more than 250 g but not more than 7 kg) is subject to a Prohibited import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the ITC (HS) policy, Chapter 88, revised Policy Condition No. 03. Import in Completely-Built-Up, Semi-Knocked-Down, or Completely-Knocked-Down form is prohibited except for government entities, recognised educational and R&D institutions, drone manufacturers, and defence and security purposes, each requiring a DGFT import authorisation issued in consultation with the concerned line ministry.

What this is

HSN code

8806 92 00

Chapter

88 · Aircraft, spacecraft and parts thereof

Primary regulator

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

Customs documentation

Import authorisation from DGFT
End-use declaration to CBIC
ITC (HS) policy compliance

Compliance steps

1
Confirm the import falls within a permitted exception category — government entity, DGFT-recognised educational or R&D institution, drone manufacturer for R&D, or defence and security purpose — before filing the bill of entry. All other CBU, SKD, or CKD drone imports are Prohibited and will be detained and liable to confiscation.
DGFT Notification 54/2015-20 dated 09-02-2022 · ITC (HS) Chapter 88 Policy Condition No. 03
2
Obtain a DGFT import authorisation issued in consultation with the concerned line ministry for the applicable exception category. The authorisation must be in force at the time of filing the bill of entry; imports presented without a valid authorisation are treated as Prohibited-import contraventions under the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992.
DGFT Notification 54/2015-20 dated 09-02-2022 · ITC (HS) Chapter 88 Policy Condition No. 03

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is importing drone components believing the entire consignment qualifies as the 'Free' components category, when the shipment in fact contains a substantially assembled drone in SKD or CKD form. Policy Condition No. 03 treats SKD and CKD as equally Prohibited as CBU; only genuinely discrete components — not a knocked-down drone kit — fall under the Free policy. Mis-declaration in this manner attracts confiscation of the consignment and prosecution under the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8806 92 00 require BIS certification?

No, no BIS Quality Control Order covers unmanned aircraft in this weight class. Import is governed by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under the ITC (HS) Prohibited import policy, Chapter 88, Policy Condition No. 03, which mandates a DGFT import authorisation for all permitted exception categories.

Are drone components for this weight class freely importable?

Yes, import of drone components is Free under Policy Condition No. 03 per DGFT Notification 54/2015-20; however, the component must be a genuine discrete part and not a drone in Completely-Knocked-Down or Semi-Knocked-Down form, which remain Prohibited.

Can a private drone manufacturer import a CBU drone for R&D purposes?

Yes, drone manufacturers importing for R&D purposes are an expressly permitted exception, but a DGFT import authorisation issued in consultation with the concerned line ministry is required before the consignment arrives at port.

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