It is the acronym for Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment and Technologies. The Foreign Trade Policy 2023 (Chapter 10) calls it India's national export control list for dual-use items, munitions and nuclear-related items, including software and technology.

Chapter 10 refers to India's commitments under the Chemical Weapons Convention, the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention and UN Security Council Resolution 1540, and to its alignment with export control regimes such as the Wassenaar Arrangement, the Australia Group, the Missile Technology Control Regime and the Nuclear Suppliers Group. The Weapons of Mass Destruction Act, 2005 applies to exports, transfers, transit and brokering.

• 0: Nuclear materials, nuclear-related materials, equipment and technology
• 1: Toxic chemical agents and other chemicals
• 2: Micro-organisms and toxins
• 3: Materials, materials processing equipment and related technologies
• 4: Nuclear-related equipment and technology not under Category 0
• 5: Aerospace systems, equipment and related technology
• 6: Munitions List
• 7: Reserved
• 8: Special materials and related equipment, electronics, computers, telecommunications, information security, sensors and lasers, navigation and avionics, marine, aerospace and propulsion

No. The list also covers software and technology. And Para 10.05 says items that are not on the list can still be controlled under the catch-all provisions, for example where there is a military end use. If you are unsure, ask before you quote.

• DGFT: Categories 1 to 5, 7 and 8, issued centrally from DGFT headquarters (Para 10.09).
• Department of Atomic Energy: Category 0.
• Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence: Category 6, with listed exceptions (Para 10.04).

Para 10.08 lists several: direct export to ultimate end users after verification, repeat orders, stock and sale, spare parts, repair and replacement, temporary export for demonstration or tenders, return to the foreign supplier, and general authorisations for intra-company transfers (GAICT, valid three years, including software and technology under Category 8) and for certain chemicals (GAEC, valid five years).

Yes. Para 10.07 says imported SCOMET items need an export authorisation even when they leave from a bonded warehouse.

Para 10.06 says supplies from the domestic tariff area to an SEZ or EOU need no export authorisation, but must be reported to the Development Commissioner within one week. A physical export from an SEZ or EOU to a foreign country does need authorisation.

Para 10.11 says DGFT encourages voluntary self-disclosure of non-compliance, and that strict action under the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act applies to violations other than voluntary self-disclosures. Speak to an advisor at once.

Compare your product, its technical specification and your buyer's end use with the current Appendix 3 on dgft.gov.in. The list is updated by notification, so use the latest version. Also read our post on free, restricted and prohibited goods.

Yes. Send us the product, its specification and the destination. We will check it against the list and tell you what to do before you quote. We are just a call and a message away.