Warships

Warships and military vessels

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 8906 10 00 (Warships) is subject to a Restricted-import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the ITC (HS) Import Policy, Chapter 89. Import of warships under this tariff line requires compliance with the applicable ITC (HS) policy condition before a bill of entry can be filed.

What this is

HSN code

8906 10 00

Chapter

89 · Ships, boats and floating structures

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) Restricted import policy, Chapter 89

Customs documentation

Import Licence from DGFT
ITC (HS) policy compliance from DGFT

Compliance steps

1
Confirm that the import is permitted under the applicable ITC (HS) policy condition for Chapter 89 before placement of the purchase order. Import of warships under CTI 8906 10 00 is Restricted, and no consignment may be cleared at the bill-of-entry stage without DGFT authorisation.
ITC (HS) Import Policy, Chapter 89 — Restricted import status for CTI 8906 10 00
2
Obtain the required DGFT import licence or authorisation covering the specific vessel and upload it in e-Sanchit prior to filing the bill of entry. The customs proper officer will verify the DGFT authorisation before granting out-of-charge.
ITC (HS) Import Policy, Chapter 89 — DGFT Restricted-import authorisation requirement

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is initiating the transaction — including vessel construction contracts or flag transfer — without first securing the DGFT import authorisation. Because the Restricted-import status attaches at the tariff line level, any warship arriving without a valid DGFT licence is liable to detention and re-export; there is no post-arrival rectification pathway for an absent licence on a Restricted-category vessel.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8906 10 00 require BIS certification?

No, warships are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime; no BIS QCO covers this product family. Import is governed solely by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under the ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy, Chapter 89.

What does Restricted-import status mean for warships under this tariff line?

Restricted status means import is not freely permitted; a DGFT licence or authorisation must be obtained before the bill of entry is filed, and import without that authorisation renders the consignment liable to detention or re-export.

Are there any exemptions from the Restricted-import policy for government or defence procurement?

The regulatory record records only the Restricted-import classification under the ITC (HS) policy; any exemption for government or defence procurement would require confirmation directly from DGFT under the applicable policy condition for Chapter 89.

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