There are restrictions on imports and exports for various strategic, health, and other reasons. There can be quantitative and qualitative restrictions on imports and exports. If the goods are not banned, the government can give a permission/license for specific reasons.

Why Restricted?

(a) Protection of public morals (b) Protection of human, animal or plant life or health (c) Protection of patents, trademarks and copyrights and the prevention of deceptive practices (d) Prevention of prison labor (e) Protection of national treasures of artistic, historic or archaeological value (f) Conservation of exhaustible natural resources (g) Protection of trade of fissionable material or material from which they are derived; and (h) Prevention of traffic in arms, ammunition, and implements of war.

DGFT through its power under the FTDR Act notifies various restrictions or quotas or conditions on the import and export of goods into/from India. These restrictions may require a licence or registration to be applied for and approved prior to the given imports/exports.

Imports:

Restricted products can only be imported after the relevant regional licensing authority has issued an import license. The goods covered by the license shall be disposed of in the manner specified by the licensing authority, which the license itself should clearly indicate. ITC (HS) includes a list of restricted products. For capital goods, an import license is valid for 24 months, and for all other goods, 18 months.

For importing such products prior approval from DGFT is required under importing restricted products

Export:

Restricted products can only be exported after the relevant regional licensing authority has issued an export authorization license

SCOMET :

Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment & Technologies (SCOMET) items can be exported/imported from India only against a license issued for this purpose, as per the international agreements for strategic reasons.