Of an age exceeding 250 years

Antiques of an age exceeding 250 years

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 9706 10 00 (antiques of an age exceeding 250 years) is subject to the ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), with import permitted only 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

9706 10 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
Establish that the import 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. The tariff line is Restricted under the ITC (HS) policy and no import is lawful outside that saving clause.
Saving Clause 3(1) of the Foreign Trade (Exemption from Application of Rules in Certain Cases) Order, 1993
2
Ensure compliance with Customs Notification 157 dated 28 March 1990 at the bill-of-entry stage. The notification operates concurrently with the DGFT saving clause and governs the customs-clearance conditions for restricted antiques.
Customs Notification 157 dated 28-03-1990

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is assuming that possession of an age-authentication certificate alone satisfies the import condition. The Restricted-import status means the saving clause, not a general import licence, is the operative legal basis; a consignment cleared without an explicit Saving Clause 3(1) nexus and Customs Notification 157 compliance remains liable to detention and confiscation regardless of the object's provenance documentation.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 9706 10 00 require BIS certification?

No, antiques of an age exceeding 250 years 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, with clearance permitted only under Saving Clause 3(1) of the Foreign Trade (Exemption from Application of Rules in Certain Cases) Order, 1993.

What is the operative saving clause for importing antiques under this tariff line?

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, is the exclusive legal pathway for permitting import of this Restricted CTI.

Does the Restricted-import status apply to antiques being re-imported after temporary export?

The ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy applies at each bill-of-entry stage; re-importation after temporary export must independently satisfy the Saving Clause 3(1) condition and Customs Notification 157 requirements.

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