FAQs on SCOMET Items

Export Commissionerate

Helpline No. : 022-268226612
Email: commr-cus4mum3[at]nic[dot]in, estt-techexportacc[at]gov[dot]in

What is SCOMET?

SCOMET stands for Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment and Technologies. Export of dual-use items, including software and technologies, having potential civilian / industrial applications as well as use in weapons of mass destruction is regulated. It is either prohibited or is permitted under an Authorization unless specifically exempted. Accordingly, the SCOMET list is our National Export Control List of dual use items munitions and nuclear related items, including software and technology and is aligned to the control lists of the all the multilateral export control regimes and conventions

Is SCOMET export freely allowed?

No. SCOMET items are restricted for export and require a valid export authorization (license) from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), except in cases explicitly exempted under the Foreign Trade Policy

How do I know if my product is under SCOMET?

Check your item against the SCOMET List, available on the DGFT website under Appendix 3 to Schedule 2 of ITC (HS) Classification. The list is categorized from Category 0 to Category 9, based on the nature of the item.

The exporters may refer this list from which is available on the website of DGFT (https://www.dgft.gov.in/CP/?opt=itchs-import-export)

What If there’s doubt about an item’s coverage under SCOMET?

In terms of provisions of Foreign Trade Policy 2023 read with Handbook of Procedures, 2023, related to SCOMET, DGFT has constituted an Inter-Ministerial Working Group (IMWG). IMWG’s primary mandate relates to licensing recommendations, strategic risk assessment, and technical classiﬁcation under SCOMET.

In case of any ambiguity regarding coverage of any particular item under SCOMET, the ﬁnal determination is made by the SCOMET Cell at DGFT in consultation with the Technical Authorities concerned under the aegis of the IMWG. Obtaining such clariﬁcations by exporters prior to export may save avoidable delays and cost in clearance. Accordingly, DGFT, time to time, issues various clariﬁcations in respect of coverage of certain items under the SCOMET. CBIC vide Instruction No. 15/2025-Customs dated 12.06.2025 has already informed about the consolidated repository of such SCOMET clarifications available on the CBIC website at the following link: https://www.cbic.gov.in/entities/cbic-content-mst/MTcxMTI3. The repository is to be updated periodically upon receipt of further clariﬁcations from DGFT. In case of any suspected SCOMET item, ﬁeld formations are advised to refer to the said repository.

In case, no suitable clariﬁcation is available in the said repository and no determination can be made with the resources available with the customs oﬃcer or with the information provided by the exporter, the matter, with the prior written approval of concerned Commissioner of Customs may be referred to the Single Nodal Point for Strategic Controls in CBIC i.e. Customs-III Section in Customs Policy Wing. The reference must be accompanied with all the technical documents such as technical drawings, product speciﬁcations, end-user and end-use details, along with sample images, and a brief note on the issue. Customs-III Section shall seek necessary clariﬁcation from DGFT and upon receipt of such clariﬁcation, shall share the same with the ﬁeld formation. Further, ﬁeld formations are also directed not to directly refer any issue related to STC/SCOMET to DGFT

Where can I apply for SCOMET export authorization?

Applications must be submitted online through the DGFT portal: https://dgft.gov.in

Can I ship the item before getting the license?

No. Export of SCOMET items without a valid license is prohibited and may result in penalties under the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992

Do I need to inform customs about SCOMET clearance?

Yes. Once the license is issued, details must be provided to the Customs authorities at the time of export through ICEGATE. The SCOMET license number must be mentioned in the shipping bill.