Indian Custom Prohibited and Restricted Goods...

The term “Prohibited Goods” has been defined in sub-section 33 of Section 2 of the Customs Act as meaning “any goods the import or export of which is subject to any prohibition under the Customs Act or any other law for the time being in force”


Certain goods are prohibited (banned) or restricted (subject to certain conditions) for import and/or export.  These are goods of social, health, environment, wild life and security concerns. Some of them are listed below:


Prohibited Goods
Antiquities
Wild life products
Human skeleton
Specified sea-shells
Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
Pornographic and obscene material
Counterfeit and pirated goods and goods infringing any of the legally enforceable intellectual property rightsAero models (such as remote controlled toy helicopters) that operate on high radio bandwidths because of their possible interference with the communication networks of security agencies.

Indian coins which are covered by the Antique and Art Treasure Act, 1972.
Maps and literature where Indian external boundaries have been shown incorrectly, in view of Government of India.

Chemicals mentioned in Schedule 1 to the Chemical Weapons Convention of U.N. 1993.
Beef, tallow, fat/oil of animal origin
Exotic birds except a few specified ones
Wild animals, their parts and products
Specified Live birds and animals

Restricted Goods
Medicines and drugs
Firearms and ammunition
Live birds and animals, including pets
Plants and their produce e.g. fruits, seeds          
Endangered species of plants and animals, whether live or dead.
Any goods for commercial purpose: for profit, gain or commercial usage.          
Radio transmitters not approved for normal usage          
Gold and Silver, other than ornaments (for import only)          
Currency in excess of prescribed limits
Telephone and telephony equipments of restricted frequencies
Certain Animals - Camel, Horses, Cattle
Semi processed hides and skins
Silk worms, silk worm seeds and cocoons

Family Planning Devices (NOC from Ministry of Health Required)
Vintage products, replicas of antiques or weapons
Sand and soil
Whole human blood plasma and certain products derived from human blood
Sandal-wood (except handicraft products & oil)


Import and export of some specified goods may be restricted/ prohibited under other laws such as Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, Foreign Trade Policy Environment Protection Act, Wild Life Act, Indian Trade and Merchandise Marks Act, Arms Act, etc. Prohibition under those acts will also apply to the penal provisions of the Customs Act, rendering such goods liable to confiscation under section 111(d) of the Customs Act (for import) and 113 (d) of the Customs Act (for export).

Prepared by M.Ajmal Khan.