Of an age exceeding 100 years

Antique collections and collectors' pieces over 100 years old

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 9705 31 00 (collections and collectors' pieces of archaeological, ethnographic, historical, zoological, botanical, mineralogical, anatomical, paleontological or numismatic interest, of an age exceeding 100 years) is subject to the Restricted-import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the ITC (HS) Schedule. Import is permitted exclusively under Saving Clause 3(1) of the Foreign Trade (Exemption from Application of Rules in Certain Cases) Order, 1993, read with Customs Notification 157 dated 28 March 1990.

What this is

HSN code

9705 31 00

Chapter

97 · Works of art, collectors' pieces and antiques

Primary regulator

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

Customs documentation

Saving Clause declaration from DGFT
Customs Notification 157 compliance from CBIC

Compliance steps

1
Confirm the consignment qualifies under Saving Clause 3(1) of the Foreign Trade (Exemption from Application of Rules in Certain Cases) Order, 1993 before filing the bill of entry. Imports that do not satisfy the Saving Clause conditions are barred under the Restricted-import status of this tariff line.
Saving Clause 3(1) of the Foreign Trade (Exemption from Application of Rules in Certain Cases) Order, 1993 · ITC (HS) Restricted import policy, Chapter 97
2
Ensure compliance with Customs Notification 157 dated 28 March 1990, which governs the import of antiques exceeding 100 years of age, and upload all supporting documentation in e-Sanchit before the bill of entry is presented for out-of-charge.
Customs Notification 157 dated 28-03-1990

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is treating age-of-object documentation as a formality rather than a substantive gatekeeping requirement. Customs officers routinely detain consignments where provenance records, auction certificates, or age-authentication documentation are absent or inconsistent — and a consignment that cannot substantiate the 100-year threshold is assessed as a Restricted import without a lawful Saving Clause basis, rendering it liable to confiscation and monetary penalty.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 9705 31 00 require BIS certification?

No, antique collectors' pieces exceeding 100 years of age fall entirely outside the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the Restricted-import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, with entry permitted only under Saving Clause 3(1) of the Foreign Trade (Exemption from Application of Rules in Certain Cases) Order, 1993.

What documentation must accompany the consignment to satisfy the Saving Clause condition?

The importer must produce documentation substantiating that the item qualifies under Saving Clause 3(1) of the Foreign Trade (Exemption from Application of Rules in Certain Cases) Order, 1993 and is compliant with Customs Notification 157 dated 28 March 1990; provenance records and age-authentication certificates should be uploaded in e-Sanchit before the bill of entry.

What is the consequence if the consignment does not satisfy the 100-year age threshold?

A consignment that cannot establish the 100-year threshold loses its Saving Clause basis and is treated as a Restricted import without a valid exemption, exposing it to detention, confiscation, and monetary penalty under the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act.

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