Knives, scissors and blades

Surgical knives, scissors and blades for medical use

CDSCO CLEARANCE · MOHFW CLEARANCE

HSN 9018 90 22 (Knives, scissors and blades) is subject to Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) registration under the Medical Devices Rules, 2017, as notified by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) via G.S.R. 102(E) dated 11-02-2020. Import is permitted only upon compliance with the registration and licensing conditions prescribed in that notification, and separate provisions govern import of old or refurbished devices per CBIC Instruction 08/2024-Customs and Instruction 25/2024-Customs.

What this is

HSN code

9018 90 22

Chapter

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

Primary regulator

CDSCO · Medical Devices Rules, 2017 (G.S.R. 102(E) dated 11-02-2020)

Customs documentation

Registration certificate from CDSCO
Import licence from CDSCO
MOHFW notification compliance declaration

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

CDSCOCDSCO·Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation

MOHFWMOHFW·Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Compliance steps

1
Obtain the mandatory CDSCO registration for the medical device prior to filing the bill of entry. The device must appear on the list of regulated medical devices under G.S.R. 102(E) dated 11-02-2020 issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the registration certificate must be current and valid at the time of import.
G.S.R. 102(E) dated 11-02-2020 · Medical Devices Rules, 2017
2
If the consignment comprises old or refurbished surgical knives, scissors, or blades, verify that the specific equipment appears on the permitted list published under CBIC Instruction 08/2024-Customs dated 05-04-2024 and updated by CBIC Instruction 25/2024-Customs dated 28-10-2024. Import of refurbished devices not appearing on that list is not permitted.
CBIC Instruction 08/2024-Customs dated 05-04-2024 · CBIC Instruction 25/2024-Customs dated 28-10-2024

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is importing old or refurbished surgical instruments without confirming their presence on the CBIC-permitted refurbished-equipment list. A consignment of second-hand blades or scissors arriving with a valid CDSCO registration for the new-device category but without clearance under CBIC Instruction 25/2024-Customs is liable to detention and re-export; the refurbished-device list was updated in October 2024 and prior compliance assessments based on the April 2024 list may be stale.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 9018 90 22 require BIS certification?

No, surgical knives, scissors and blades fall outside the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation under the Medical Devices Rules, 2017, pursuant to G.S.R. 102(E) dated 11-02-2020 issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Is CDSCO registration required for all surgical blades under this HSN, or only for certain categories?

Registration is required for devices listed in G.S.R. 102(E) dated 11-02-2020; importers should verify the specific device category against that notification, as the scope of regulated medical devices has been progressively expanded and not all instruments in this tariff line are automatically notified.

Can refurbished surgical knives or scissors be imported under this HSN?

Import of old or refurbished medical equipment is permitted only for equipment appearing on the list specified in CBIC Instruction 08/2024-Customs dated 05-04-2024 as updated by CBIC Instruction 25/2024-Customs dated 28-10-2024; devices not on that list are not eligible for import in refurbished condition.

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