Other

Festive, carnival and entertainment articles (novelty jokes, conjuring tricks)

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 9505 90 90 (Other festive, carnival and entertainment articles) is subject to the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), with a Prohibited-import regime applying specifically to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Unmanned Aircraft Systems, and Remotely Piloted Aircraft (UAV/UAS/RPA) in Completely-Built-Up, Semi-Knocked-Down, or Completely-Knocked-Down form, with limited exceptions. Drone components remain Free under the ITC (HS) policy; permitted CBU/SKD/CKD drone imports require an Import Authorisation issued by DGFT in consultation with the concerned line ministries.

What this is

HSN code

9505 90 90

Chapter

95 · Toys, games and sports requisites; parts and accessories

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) Prohibited/Restricted import policy, Chapter 95

Customs documentation

Import Authorisation from DGFT
Policy condition declaration to CBIC
End-use declaration from importer

Compliance steps

1
If importing UAV/UAS/RPA in CBU, SKD or CKD form, obtain an Import Authorisation from DGFT before shipment. The Prohibited-import regime applies to all such consignments except those by Government entities, DGFT-recognised R&D bodies, and drone manufacturers for R&D purposes, or for Defence and Security end-use.
DGFT Notification 54/2015-20 dated 09-02-2022 · DGFT Notification 30/2015-20 dated 08-11-2019 · Policy Condition No. 3 of Chapter 95
2
For drone components (as opposed to assembled or semi-assembled UAV/UAS/RPA), the import policy status is Free; no Import Authorisation is required. Classify correctly at the bill of entry to avoid Prohibited-import enforcement triggered by misclassification of assembled drones as components.
DGFT Notification 54/2015-20 dated 09-02-2022

A word of counsel

The classification risk on this tariff line runs in two directions: assembled drones mis-declared as components to circumvent the Prohibited-import status, and toys correctly classifiable under CTH 9503 mis-declared under CTH 9505 to evade the mandatory compliance requirements that attach to 9503. Customs officers are specifically instructed to scrutinise CTH 9505 entries for both patterns; a misclassified consignment is liable to detention, re-assessment, and confiscation, in addition to any applicable penalty under the Customs Act, 1962.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 9505 90 90 require BIS certification?

No, festive and entertainment articles classified under CTH 9505 are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) policy administered by DGFT, principally the Prohibited-import condition for UAV/UAS/RPA in CBU/SKD/CKD form under DGFT Notification 54/2015-20.

Which entities are exempt from the drone CBU/SKD/CKD import prohibition?

Government entities, Central or State Government-recognised educational institutions, Government-recognised R&D entities, and drone manufacturers importing for R&D purposes, as well as importers for Defence and Security purposes, are exempt — subject in each case to an Import Authorisation issued by DGFT in consultation with the concerned line ministries.

Are drone components under this HSN treated as Prohibited imports?

No. DGFT Notification 54/2015-20 dated 09-02-2022 explicitly classifies the import of drone components as Free; only the import of drones in CBU, SKD or CKD assembled form is Prohibited (subject to the stated exceptions).

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