Muzzle-loading firearms

Muzzle-loading firearms, antique and black-powder guns

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 9303 10 00 (Muzzle-loading firearms) is subject to Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) licensing requirements under the Arms Act, 1959, operative via S.O. 667(E) dated 12-09-1985 and S.O. 831(E) dated 02-08-2002. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) administers the ITC (HS) import policy for Chapter 93, and import of arms and related material from Iraq is absolutely prohibited under Policy Condition No. 5 of Chapter 93.

What this is

HSN code

9303 10 00

Chapter

93 · Arms and ammunition; parts and accessories thereof

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) import policy, Chapter 93; Arms Act, 1959 (MHA licensing)

Customs documentation

User licence from competent authority under Arms Act
ITC (HS) policy compliance from DGFT
MHA notification compliance declaration

Compliance steps

1
Obtain a valid user licence from the competent authority under the Arms Act, 1959 before filing the bill of entry. Import is contingent on fulfilment of all requirements specified in MHA S.O. 667(E) dated 12-09-1985 and S.O. 831(E) dated 02-08-2002; an unlicensed import is treated as a prohibited-goods violation.
Arms Act, 1959 · MHA S.O. 667(E) dated 12-09-1985 · MHA S.O. 831(E) dated 02-08-2002
2
Confirm the country of origin or supply is not Iraq before placing the purchase order. Import of arms and related material from Iraq is prohibited under ITC (HS) Policy Condition No. 5 of Chapter 93, administered by DGFT; consignments in violation are liable to confiscation.
ITC (HS) Policy Condition No. 5 of Chapter 93 · DGFT

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is treating the purchaser's domestic arms licence as equivalent to the user licence required under the Arms Act, 1959 for import purposes. The import-specific user licence must be obtained from the competent authority and must cover the category of muzzle-loading firearm being imported; a general possession licence does not satisfy the MHA notification requirements under S.O. 667(E) and S.O. 831(E), and customs will detain the consignment pending production of the correct authorisation.

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 9303 10 00 require BIS certification?

No, muzzle-loading firearms are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by MHA licensing requirements under the Arms Act, 1959, with the ITC (HS) import policy for Chapter 93 administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

Which MHA notifications govern the import requirements for this tariff line?

Import must satisfy the requirements specified in MHA S.O. 667(E) dated 12-09-1985 and S.O. 831(E) dated 02-08-2002, and the purchaser or user must hold the requisite user licence from the competent authority under the Arms Act, 1959.

Is the prohibition on imports from Iraq absolute, or are there exemptions?

The prohibition under ITC (HS) Policy Condition No. 5 of Chapter 93 is absolute for arms and related material originating from or supplied via Iraq; no exemption category is provided under the policy condition.

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