India’s export policy categorises goods into three distinct classes—Free, Restricted and Prohibited—to ensure regulatory compliance and safeguard national and global interests.
Goods listed as Free can be exported without any restrictions. Restricted items require an Export Authorisation and adherence to conditions prescribed by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). Prohibited goods, including sensitive materials such as nuclear-related items and certain wildlife products, are not permitted for export under any circumstances.
Exporters are required to correctly identify and verify their products’ ITC(HS) codes before shipment. Depending on the nature of the goods, additional certifications or clearances may be mandatory from Partner Government Agencies such as the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) or the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).
Strict adherence to these classifications and regulatory requirements is critical to ensure legal compliance, avoid penalties, and facilitate smooth export operations, particularly in the growing e-commerce and EXIM segments.