The DGFT has issued Notification No. 44/2025-26 dated October 15, 2025, announcing significant amendments to the ‘ITC (HS) 2022, Schedule-I (Import Policy)’. These changes are effective immediately and align the import policy with the Finance Act 2025 (No. 07 of 2025), dated March 29, 2025.
The amendments involve a comprehensive review and update of the Indian Trade Classification (Harmonised System) for import items, impacting a wide range of goods.
Key Highlights of the Notification:
- Pesticide Import Regulations: A new Policy Condition No. 07 has been introduced for Chapter 29 and 38 under ITC (HS), 2022, Schedule-I (Import Policy). This condition mandates that the import of pesticides will now be subject to a Certificate of Registration issued by the Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee (CIB&RC) under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. Additionally, imports must not be prohibited under the Insecticides Act, 1968.
- Updates to ITC (HS) Codes and Policy Conditions: The notification includes detailed Annexures (Annexure-I and Annexure-II) outlining specific insertions, deletions, amendments, splits, and merges of ITC (HS) Codes and their related policy conditions. This affects various categories, including:
- Agricultural Products: Several entries related to rice (parboiled, Basmati, GI recognised) have been updated, with some being deleted and others placed under ‘State Trading Enterprise’ for import. Makhana (popped, flour and powder, other) is now listed as ‘Free’ for import.
- Chemicals and Compounds:Numerous chemical substances, including trichloroethane derivatives, various peroxides, and specific cycloterpenic hydrocarbons, have had their import policies revised, with many now listed as ‘Restricted’ subject to specific policy conditions or entirely ‘Deleted’. For instance, Lime sulphur and Magnesium phosphide plates are now ‘Free’ but still subject to the new pesticide registration condition.
- Miscellaneous Industrial Goods:Categories such as waste oils containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are subject to ‘Restricted’ import based on concentration levels. Organic composite solvents and thinners, and prepared paint or varnish removers, have also seen updates, with some entries deleted and others marked ‘Free’.
- Revised Item Descriptions and Notes:Annexure-II provides revised descriptions for various HS codes, clarifying the scope of certain items like Arsenic trichloride, Bifenthrin, and specific Dialkyl compounds. It also introduces or revises section notes, chapter-wise main notes, and supplementary notes to provide clearer guidance on tariff items. For example, the definition of “Rice, GI recognised” and “makhana” has been explicitly detailed.
The updated ITC (HS) 2022 Schedule-I (Import Policy) will be made available on the official website of the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (https://dgft.gov.in) for public access.
This move aims to streamline and update India’s import policy regime, ensuring compliance with current financial legislation and providing clarity for traders and industries involved in international commerce.
The Notification can be accessed at: https://a2ztaxcorp.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/English-Notification-No.-44.pdf
