Other

Hand-executed paintings, collages, mosaics and similar decorative plaques

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 9701 99 00 (Other hand-executed paintings, collages, mosaics and similar decorative plaques) is subject to the ITC (HS) Free-import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). While import is categorised as Free, the importer is bound by the export laws and rules of the country of origin — including any cultural-property, heritage-export, or permit requirements imposed by the exporting country.

What this is

HSN code

9701 99 00

Chapter

97 · Works of art, collectors' pieces and antiques

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) Free import policy, Chapter 97

Customs documentation

Import declaration from DGFT
Export permit from country of origin
Provenance documentation from exporter

Compliance steps

1
Confirm that the consignment qualifies as Free under the ITC (HS) import policy for Chapter 97 and file the bill of entry accordingly. No DGFT import licence is required, but the Free-import status does not override origin-country export restrictions.
ITC (HS) Import Policy, Chapter 97 — Free import category
2
Obtain and retain documentation demonstrating compliance with the export laws and rules of the country from which the goods are imported — including any cultural-property export licence, heritage export clearance, or equivalent permit issued by that country's competent authority. Failure to produce such documentation at the bill-of-entry stage may result in consignment detention.
ITC (HS) Import Policy condition for CTI 9701 99 00 — importer obligation to abide by export laws of country of origin

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is treating the ITC (HS) Free-import categorisation as a complete clearance and arriving without origin-country export documentation. Many jurisdictions — including the EU, the United Kingdom, and UNESCO-convention signatories — require a cultural-property export licence for original artworks above threshold values; Indian customs officers may call for this documentation at examination, and an inability to produce it can result in consignment detention pending verification of lawful exportation.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 9701 99 00 require BIS certification?

No, hand-executed paintings, collages and decorative plaques are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) Free-import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, subject to compliance with the export laws of the country of origin.

Is a DGFT import licence required to import under HSN 9701 99 00?

No. The ITC (HS) policy classifies this CTI as Free, meaning no import licence from DGFT is required at the bill-of-entry stage; however, the importer remains responsible for satisfying any export-permit or cultural-property clearance requirements of the exporting country.

What happens if the exporting country's export laws prohibit the outward shipment of a particular artwork?

An import premised on a prohibited or unlicensed export from the origin country may be treated as a violation of the ITC (HS) import-policy condition, exposing the consignment to detention, re-export, or confiscation under the Customs Act, 1962.

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