ALL DUTIABLE ARTICLES, IMPORTED BY A PASSENGER OR A MEMBER OF A CREW IN HIS BAGGAGE

Dutiable articles imported in passenger or crew baggage

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 9803 00 00 (dutiable articles in passenger or crew baggage) is subject to the Restricted-import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under saving clause 3(1)(h) of the Foreign Trade (Exemption from Application of Rules in Certain Cases) Order, 1993, read with the Customs Baggage Rules. Where baggage contains drugs or pharmaceutical articles, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation documents — including Registration Certificate, Import Licence, Certificate of Analysis, Batch Release Certificate, and Label — must be uploaded in e-Sanchit before customs out-of-charge.

What this is

HSN code

9803 00 00

Chapter

98 · Project imports; laboratory chemicals; passengers' baggage

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) Restricted import policy, saving clause 3(1)(h) of FT (Exemption) Order, 1993

Customs documentation

Import Licence for Drugs from CDSCO
Registration Certificate from CDSCO
Certificate of Analysis from issuing authority

Compliance steps

1
Confirm the articles being imported fall within the scope of Heading 9803 as applicable to passengers and crew members. Motor vehicles, alcoholic beverages, tobacco and manufactured tobacco products, and any article imported under an import licence or Customs clearance permit are excluded from this heading by Chapter Note.
Chapter Notes to Heading 9803, ITC (HS) Schedule I · saving clause 3(1)(h) of Foreign Trade (Exemption from Application of Rules in Certain Cases) Order, 1993
2
Where the baggage contains drugs or pharmaceutical articles, ensure that the Registration Certificate for Drugs (document code 101DC1), Import Licence for Drugs (document code 9111DC), Certificate of Analysis — Drug (document code 0010DC), Batch Release Certificate (document code 0030DC), and Label of Consignment (document code 0110DC) are uploaded in e-Sanchit before the bill of entry is processed for out-of-charge.
CBIC e-Sanchit mandatory document requirements · document codes 0010DC, 0030DC, 0110DC, 101DC1, 9111DC

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is assuming that personal-baggage status automatically removes pharmaceutical articles from drug-import licensing obligations. Articles imported under an import licence or Customs clearance permit — even by a passenger for personal use — are expressly carved out of Heading 9803 by the Chapter Notes, meaning the full drug-import documentation chain under the applicable drugs regulatory framework applies and the absence of even one e-Sanchit upload (Registration Certificate, Import Licence, Certificate of Analysis, Batch Release Certificate, Label) will cause the consignment to be held at the out-of-charge stage.

Need a regulatory steer on this product?

Speak to a regulatory counsel about your specific HSN, IS, and supplier situation.

Speak to an Expert

Frequently asked

Does HSN 9803 00 00 require BIS certification?

No, no BIS Quality Control Order covers articles imported in passenger or crew baggage under Heading 9803. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under saving clause 3(1)(h) of the Foreign Trade (Exemption from Application of Rules in Certain Cases) Order, 1993.

Which articles are excluded from Heading 9803 by the Chapter Notes?

Motor vehicles, alcoholic beverages, tobacco and manufactured tobacco products, and any article imported by a passenger or crew member under an import licence or Customs clearance permit — whether for personal use or on behalf of others — are excluded from the scope of Heading 9803.

What happens if a passenger imports drugs in baggage without the mandatory e-Sanchit documents?

Customs out-of-charge will be withheld until all five mandatory documents — Certificate of Analysis (0010DC), Batch Release Certificate (0030DC), Label of Consignment (0110DC), Registration Certificate for Drugs (101DC1), and Import Licence for Drugs (9111DC) — are uploaded and verified in e-Sanchit, and the articles are liable to detention in the interim.

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