Binoculars

Binoculars, optical binoculars for general and medical use

CDSCO CLEARANCE · MOHFW CLEARANCE

HSN 9005 10 00 (Binoculars) is subject to Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) registration under G.S.R. 102(E) dated 11-02-2020, issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW), where the binoculars fall within the notified medical-devices schedule. Night vision binoculars and passive night vision devices are separately classified as Restricted imports under the ITC (HS) policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).

What this is

HSN code

9005 10 00

Chapter

90 · Optical, photographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments

Primary regulator

CDSCO · Medical Devices Rules (G.S.R. 102(E) dated 11-02-2020, MOHFW)

Customs documentation

Registration certificate from CDSCO
Import Licence from DGFT
MOHFW compliance declaration

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

CDSCOCDSCO·Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation

MOHFWMOHFW·Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

Compliance steps

1
Determine whether the binoculars being imported fall within the medical-devices schedule notified under G.S.R. 102(E) dated 11-02-2020. If so, obtain CDSCO registration covering the device category before filing the bill of entry; importing a listed medical device without valid CDSCO registration invites consignment detention and prosecution under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
G.S.R. 102(E) dated 11-02-2020, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
2
If the consignment includes night vision binoculars or passive night vision devices, obtain the requisite DGFT import licence before shipment. This product sub-category carries a Restricted import status under the ITC (HS) policy; import without the licence renders the consignment liable to confiscation.
ITC (HS) import policy — Restricted classification for night vision binoculars and passive night vision devices (PNVDs)

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is importing general-purpose binoculars under the assumption that the CDSCO and Restricted-import obligations do not apply. The two regimes operate independently: a commercial binocular not on the G.S.R. 102(E) medical-devices schedule still triggers the DGFT Restricted-import bar if it incorporates night-vision or passive night-vision capability. Confirm both the medical-device classification and the night-vision specification before the purchase order is placed.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 9005 10 00 require BIS certification?

No, binoculars under this tariff line are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import compliance is governed by CDSCO registration under G.S.R. 102(E) dated 11-02-2020 for medical-device variants, and by the DGFT Restricted-import policy for night vision binoculars and passive night vision devices.

Which binoculars under HSN 9005 10 00 are subject to the DGFT Restricted-import condition?

Night vision binoculars and passive night vision devices (PNVDs) are the sub-categories classified as Restricted under the ITC (HS) import policy; general optical binoculars that do not incorporate night-vision technology are not subject to the DGFT licence requirement.

Does the CDSCO registration requirement apply to all binoculars or only to specific variants?

Only binoculars listed in the medical-devices schedule notified under G.S.R. 102(E) dated 11-02-2020 are subject to CDSCO registration; general-purpose optical binoculars outside that schedule are not captured by the medical-device regime.

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