With maximum take-off weight more than 25 kg but not more than 150 kg

Unmanned aircraft (drones) 25 kg to 150 kg maximum take-off weight

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 8806 94 00 (unmanned aircraft with maximum take-off weight more than 25 kg but not more than 150 kg) is subject to a Prohibited import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under DGFT Notification 54/2015-20 dated 09-02-2022. Import in Completely-Built-Up (CBU), Semi-Knocked-Down (SKD), or Completely-Knocked-Down (CKD) form is prohibited for commercial importers, with narrow exceptions for government entities, recognised educational and R&D institutions, and defence and security purposes — each requiring a DGFT import authorisation issued in consultation with concerned line ministries.

What this is

HSN code

8806 94 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 condition declaration to CBIC

Compliance steps

1
Establish eligibility before any purchase order: import of CBU, SKD, or CKD drones is Prohibited except for government entities, central- or state-government-recognised educational institutions, government-recognised R&D entities, drone manufacturers for R&D purposes, and entities importing for defence and security purposes. Importers outside these categories have no lawful basis to import under this tariff line.
DGFT Notification 54/2015-20 dated 09-02-2022 · ITC (HS) Policy Condition 03 of Chapter 88
2
Obtain a DGFT import authorisation before shipment. The authorisation is issued by DGFT in consultation with the concerned line ministries and must be presented at the bill-of-entry stage; consignments arriving without a current, valid authorisation are liable to detention and re-export or confiscation under the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992.
DGFT Notification 54/2015-20 dated 09-02-2022 · ITC (HS) Policy Condition 03 of Chapter 88

A word of counsel

The prohibition applies specifically to the assembled or knocked-down drone unit — CBU, SKD, and CKD — not to individual drone components, which remain Free under the ITC (HS) policy. Importers who structure shipments as 'components' to circumvent the CBU prohibition risk customs re-classification and confiscation where the goods, taken together, constitute a substantially complete drone. Eligibility for the R&D or defence carve-out must be documented prior to filing the import authorisation application; a retroactive claim at port does not suspend detention.

Need a regulatory steer on this product?

Speak to a regulatory counsel about your specific HSN, IS, and supplier situation.

Speak to an Expert

Frequently asked

Does HSN 8806 94 00 require BIS certification?

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

Are drone components also prohibited under this policy condition?

No. Policy Condition 03 of Chapter 88 applies to drones imported in CBU, SKD, or CKD form; import of drone components is classified as Free under DGFT Notification 54/2015-20 dated 09-02-2022.

Can a private drone manufacturer import drones in CBU form for R&D without DGFT authorisation?

No. Even drone manufacturers importing for R&D purposes must obtain a DGFT import authorisation issued in consultation with the concerned line ministries; the R&D exemption is not self-certifying, and shipment without a prior authorisation remains Prohibited.

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