Forceps, forcep clamps, clips, needle holders, introducers, cephalotribe bone holding and other holding instruments

Surgical forceps, clamps, clips, needle holders and holding instruments

CDSCO CLEARANCE · MOHFW CLEARANCE

HSN 9018 90 23 (forceps, forcep clamps, clips, needle holders, introducers, cephalotribe bone holding and other holding instruments) 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). Import is conditional on compliance with all registration and licensing requirements specified in that notification.

What this is

HSN code

9018 90 23

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 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 schedule of regulated medical devices under G.S.R. 102(E) dated 11-02-2020, and the registration certificate must be current and uploaded in e-Sanchit at the bill of entry stage.
G.S.R. 102(E) dated 11-02-2020, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
2
Where the consignment consists of old or refurbished instruments, verify that the specific equipment class is included in the list of devices permitted in old or refurbished condition. Only those categories expressly listed in the annexures to CBIC Instruction 08/2024-Customs dated 05-04-2024 and CBIC Instruction 25/2024-Customs dated 28-10-2024 may be imported in that condition.
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 holding instruments without confirming that the specific device class appears in the CBIC-notified permitted list. A refurbished consignment outside that list is treated as an unauthorised import of an unregistered medical device under the MOHFW notification, attracting detention, confiscation, and potential criminal liability under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 — regardless of whether a valid CDSCO registration exists for the new-device version of the same product.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 9018 90 23 require BIS certification?

No, surgical forceps, clamps, and holding instruments under this tariff line are not subject to any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation under G.S.R. 102(E) dated 11-02-2020 issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Are refurbished or second-hand surgical instruments permitted for import under this HSN?

Only those equipment classes expressly listed in the annexures to CBIC Instruction 08/2024-Customs dated 05-04-2024 and CBIC Instruction 25/2024-Customs dated 28-10-2024 may be imported in old or refurbished condition; instruments not on that list are prohibited in that state.

What is the consequence of importing without a current CDSCO registration?

Import of an unregistered medical device under G.S.R. 102(E) dated 11-02-2020 exposes the importer to detention of the consignment, confiscation, monetary penalty, and criminal prosecution under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

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