SWORDS, CUT LASSES, BAYONETS, LANCES AND SIMILAR ARMS AND PARTS THEREOF AND SCABBARDS AND SHEATHS THEREFOR

Swords, cutlasses, bayonets, lances and similar arms

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 9307 00 00 (Swords, cutlasses, bayonets, lances and similar arms) is subject to the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy, with import conditioned on fulfilment of requirements specified in Ministry of Home Affairs notifications S.O. 667(E) dated 12-09-1985 and S.O. 831(E) dated 02-08-2002. The purchaser or end-user must hold a valid user licence from the competent authority under the Arms Act, 1959. Import of arms and related material from Iraq is prohibited under ITC (HS) Policy Condition 5 to Chapter 93.

What this is

HSN code

9307 00 00

Chapter

93 · Arms and ammunition; parts and accessories thereof

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) Restricted import policy, Chapter 93 (MHA S.O. 667(E)/S.O. 831(E) conditions)

Customs documentation

User licence from Arms Act authority
MHA compliance declaration to CBIC
Import clearance from DGFT

Compliance steps

1
Before placing the purchase order, ensure the purchaser or end-user holds a valid user licence from the competent authority under the Arms Act, 1959. This licence is a pre-import prerequisite — customs out-of-charge will not be granted without evidence of a current licence covering the category of edged weapon being imported.
MHA Notification S.O. 667(E) dated 12-09-1985 · MHA Notification S.O. 831(E) dated 02-08-2002 · Arms Act, 1959
2
At the bill-of-entry stage, confirm that the country of origin or export is not Iraq. Import of arms and related material from Iraq is absolutely prohibited under ITC (HS) Policy Condition 5 to Chapter 93; consignments transiting through Iraq or originating there are equally caught by this prohibition.
ITC (HS) Policy Condition 5 to Chapter 93 · DGFT ITC (HS) Schedule I

A word of counsel

The error that most frequently detains consignments on this tariff line is filing the bill of entry before the Arms Act user licence has been obtained or renewed. Because the licence must be held by the purchaser or end-user — not the customs broker or importer of record — a gap in licence currency at the date of import triggers detention and potential confiscation, with no administrative window to remedy the deficiency after the vessel arrives. Confirm licence validity and coverage for the specific weapon category before vessel departure.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 9307 00 00 require BIS certification?

No, edged weapons such as swords, bayonets and lances are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, conditioned on MHA notifications S.O. 667(E) and S.O. 831(E) and a valid user licence under the Arms Act, 1959.

Who is the competent authority to issue the user licence under the Arms Act, 1959?

The competent authority is designated under the Arms Act, 1959 and the Arms Rules; typically the licensing authority is a district magistrate or other authority notified by the State or Central Government, and the licence must cover the specific category of arm being imported.

Does the Iraq import prohibition apply only to firearms, or does it extend to edged weapons under HSN 9307 00 00?

ITC (HS) Policy Condition 5 to Chapter 93 prohibits import of arms and related material from Iraq without restriction to weapon type, so edged weapons, parts, scabbards and sheaths classified under HSN 9307 00 00 originating in or exported from Iraq are prohibited.

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