Picture this:
A Delhi-based electronics importer proudly secures a bulk order of refurbished printers from Germany. The deal is good, margins are solid, and customers are waiting.
But when the shipment lands at Mumbai Port, Customs halts it—citing DGFT authorisation missing under restricted category goods.
By the time the paperwork catches up, the importer has spent lakhs on demurrage and watched a full month slip away.
This is not rare anymore—it’s the reality many Indian importers are facing in 2025, where trade and environmental compliance now go hand in hand.
Over the past decade, India has emerged as one of the world’s largest markets for used and refurbished electronics. However, that boom brought a darker side—unregulated imports, toxic components, and a flood of e-waste that bypassed the country’s recycling ecosystem.
To control this, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) now works hand-in-hand with the Ministry of Environment (MoEFCC), CPCB, and BIS to ensure that imported goods are safe, traceable, and environmentally responsible.
The 2025 policy introduces three major shifts:
In short: no certificate, no clearance.
Many businesses still trip up on these three terms. Here’s the difference in plain words:
| Term | What It Means | Regulatory View |
|---|---|---|
| Used / Second-Hand | Any product that has already been operated or owned before resale. | Import restricted; requires DGFT licence and compliance with BIS & CPCB norms. |
| Refurbished | Equipment repaired or restored to extend its life with minor replacements or servicing. | Allowed, but only if tested, certified, and declared under refurbished category in import documents. |
| Reconditioned | Products extensively repaired or overhauled to near-new condition. | Treated the same as “used” — restricted import requiring prior DGFT approval. |
For regulators, the label matters less than the lifecycle.
If an item has been in use before, it must enter India through the compliance channel.
Navigating India’s trade laws can feel like walking a maze. The good news? Once you understand the flow, it’s predictable and manageable.
The preparation starts long before the shipment leaves the supplier’s country.
This paperwork is your license to trade. Without it, the consignment cannot legally enter India.
When your consignment reaches Customs:
Customs officials now use digital verification systems, so even minor data mismatches can lead to delays or detention.
The financial and operational consequences of skipping even one compliance step are severe—and often underestimated.
| Violation | Outcome | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Import without DGFT Licence | Shipment confiscation or forced re-export | 1–2 months delay, high storage fees |
| No BIS Certification | Customs sends items for lab testing | Additional ₹1–2 lakh testing + re-labelling |
| Missing EPR Registration | Penalty under Environment Act | ₹5 lakh fine and blacklisting from CPCB portal |
| No QR Code / Traceability | Blocked entry under 2025 PWM/BWM amendments | Repackaging and relabelling cost ₹50,000–₹1 lakh |
Every detained shipment is more than lost money—it’s lost reputation. For many MSMEs, one such incident can break an entire trading cycle.
| Indicator | India 2024–25 Snapshot |
|---|---|
| Annual e-waste generated | 1.6 million tonnes |
| Portion linked to imported electronics | ~12% |
| DGFT licences for refurbished imports | Over 1,200 active |
| BIS-registered electronic models | Above 23,000 |
| Customs penalties for unauthorised imports | 170+ recorded cases |
The trend is clear—India is cleaning up its import ecosystem, not closing it. The aim is to promote responsible imports, not ban trade.
These oversights are simple to avoid with early consultation and professional filing support.
Here’s a simplified roadmap to stay compliant and avoid last-minute panic:
Doing this early saves weeks of delay and thousands in storage costs.
It’s not just about fines; it’s about lost opportunity.
Importers have reported 3–6 months of disruption, losing supply contracts and credibility with international partners.
Penalties include:
Preventing these costs is far cheaper than fixing them.
In the past, regulatory paperwork was seen as a burden.
Today, it’s your competitive moat. Buyers, OEMs, and investors increasingly prefer suppliers who are fully compliant with BIS, EPR, and DGFT norms.
Having the right registrations not only keeps you legal—it also earns trust, faster customs clearance, and brand credibility.
Green Permits has seen this transformation first-hand.
Clients who took early action on EPR and BIS compliance now clear shipments in half the time and attract global partners who value sustainability.
India’s 2025 DGFT import guidelines mark a turning point—not to block trade, but to make it cleaner and future-ready.
For importers, refurbishers, and distributors, the smartest move is to shift from reactive compliance to proactive preparation.
By aligning your paperwork, plant, and packaging today, you’re not just meeting a law—you’re building a resilient, responsible business.
At Green Permits Consulting, we simplify this journey. From DGFT and BIS filings to EPR registration and recycling tie-ups, our team ensures every box is ticked before your shipment lands.
📞 +91 78350 06182
📧 wecare@greenpermits.in
Book a Consultation with Green Permits – your partner for stress-free environmental compliance.
Yes, but only with DGFT licence, BIS certification, and EPR authorisation from CPCB.
Used goods are previously operated; refurbished ones are repaired and tested before resale. Both need DGFT and BIS clearance.
No. Even certified foreign goods must be registered with BIS India before sale.
Your EPR registration may be suspended, and future import licences may be withheld until compliance is restored.
We manage the full process—from DGFT authorisation and BIS CRS registration to EPR licence filing and recycling tie-ups—ensuring your imports move without interruption.
