India: Government prohibits import of foreign drones to promote Indian manufacturers

NEW DELHI, 10 February 2022, (TON): A commerce ministry official said after a formal order was issued that India barred import of foreign drones with immediate effect in an effort to encourage domestic manufacturing of drones.

A notification issued by Director General of Foreign Trade Santosh Kumar Sarangi said “import policy of drones… under HS Code 8806 is ‘Prohibited’ with exceptions provided for R&D (research and development), defence and security purposes.”

“Import of drone components shall be ‘Free’. This shall come into force with immediate effect,”

It added “HT has reviewed the notification.”

The official cited above said the import of drones under the three exceptions will be permitted only after taking required permissions and clearances.

The notification comes days after the ministry of civil aviation issued the drone certification scheme on January 25 to stipulate minimum safety and quality requirements to boost indigenous manufacturing.

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