Of metal

Original sculpture and statuary of metal

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 9703 90 10 (original sculpture and statuary of metal) carries a Free import policy under the ITC (HS) Schedule administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), with no licence or permit required at the Indian border. Importers must, however, comply with the export laws and regulations of the country of origin, and non-compliance with those source-country controls may render the Indian import unlawful.

What this is

HSN code

9703 90 10

Chapter

97 · Works of art, collectors' pieces and antiques

Primary regulator

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

Customs documentation

Export compliance declaration from country of origin
Commercial invoice from exporter

Compliance steps

1
Verify that the consignment is accompanied by documentation confirming lawful export from the country of origin — including any export permit, cultural-property certificate, or equivalent clearance required by the exporting country's laws. The ITC (HS) Free status does not override source-country export restrictions.
ITC (HS) Import Policy, Chapter 97 — Free policy condition requiring compliance with source-country export laws
2
File the bill of entry with the standard customs documentation, including commercial invoice and packing list. Confirm the goods are correctly classified as original sculpture under Heading 9703 and not as antiques under Heading 9706, as the policy and duty treatment differ.
ITC (HS) Import Policy, Chapter 97

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is treating the Free import policy as unconditional. The ITC (HS) condition explicitly binds the importer to the export laws of the country of origin; an artwork exported without the required source-country permit — even if it clears Indian customs initially — can be seized on subsequent discovery of the origin-country violation. Obtain documentary evidence of lawful export before the purchase order is placed, not after the consignment arrives.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 9703 90 10 require BIS certification?

No, original metal sculpture falls outside the BIS Quality Control Order regime entirely. Import is governed solely by the ITC (HS) Free policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, subject to the importer's obligation to comply with the exporting country's export laws.

What documentation from the country of origin is needed to satisfy the source-country compliance condition?

The applicable documents depend on the exporting country's cultural-property or export-control legislation; this may include a government-issued export permit, a cultural-heritage clearance certificate, or an equivalent declaration. The importer bears the burden of proof at the Indian bill-of-entry stage.

Does the Free import policy mean no restrictions apply at all?

No. The ITC (HS) policy for this tariff line is Free for the purposes of Indian import licensing, but the policy condition explicitly requires compliance with the laws and rules relating to export of such items in the country of origin — non-compliance can expose the importer to seizure and confiscation in India.

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