A real-world start — the importer who almost lost her shipment
When Riya, a Bengaluru-based importer of refurbished laptops, cleared her first overseas consignment, she thought everything was in place — invoice, packing list, and IEC.
But Customs had a different question: “Where’s your DGFT permission and CPCB registration?”
What looked like a small paperwork mismatch quickly turned into a three-month delay. Her containers sat at the port while she scrambled to understand how the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) were all connected.
That single experience cost her more in demurrage than in duties.
Why DGFT matters in environmental imports
Most businesses know DGFT as the body that issues import and export licenses.
But in reality, DGFT is much more than that — it’s the front-line gatekeeper ensuring that anything entering India complies not just with trade laws, but also with environmental rules set by MoEFCC and enforced by CPCB.
Think of it like this:
- MoEFCC makes the environmental policy.
- CPCB operates the online portals for registrations, EPR targets, and audits.
- DGFT checks that only compliant consignments actually cross India’s borders.
Together, they ensure that waste, used batteries, and hazardous materials are recycled or imported responsibly — not dumped.
How the coordination works (simplified)
- DGFT classifies every import under an HS code — “free”, “restricted”, or “prohibited.”
Used electronics, battery scrap, and hazardous materials often fall into the “restricted” list. - Importers must secure DGFT licenses or permissions before shipment if the product is restricted.
- CPCB requires those same importers (especially for batteries, e-waste, or plastics) to register on its EPR Portals:
- E-Waste Portal for electronics and IT equipment
- Battery Waste Portal for all types of batteries
- Plastic Waste Portal for PIBOs (Producers, Importers, Brand Owners)
- MoEFCC supervises these frameworks, issuing the broader rules, amending them when needed, and ensuring DGFT aligns with them.
Only when these three pieces line up — DGFT license, CPCB registration, and MoEFCC rule compliance — does the import process run smoothly.
What this means for Indian importers
If your business brings in electronics, batteries, or any product that could generate waste, you’re automatically part of India’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system.
Here’s how that plays out in practice:
- E-waste importers must register as Producers on CPCB’s E-waste portal and meet EPR targets for collection or recycling.
- Battery importers have to register on the Battery EPR portal and print the CPCB-issued registration number on every battery or equipment label (as per the 2025 amendment).
- Plastic packaging importers or brand owners are required to print QR codes or barcodes showing their registration numbers by July 2025.
If any of these are missing, DGFT or Customs can flag your consignment for non-compliance.
The importer’s checklist (before your shipment leaves port)
Identify your HS Code & DGFT policy
Check if your product is restricted or free. If it’s restricted, apply for the DGFT license well in advance.
Complete CPCB registration under the right category
Use the correct portal:
- E-waste → eprewastecpcb.in
- Battery waste → eprbatterycpcb.in
- Plastic waste → cpcbeprplastic.in
Update packaging & labeling
From 2025, every importer must include a barcode or QR code displaying the EPR registration number on the product, equipment, or its packaging.
Keep your documentation synchronized
Invoices, declarations, and CPCB certificates should reflect the same company name, GST, and address.
File quarterly and annual returns
CPCB mandates regular EPR returns; skipping even one can affect renewals or trigger fines.
Recent regulatory updates importers often miss
| Regulation | Update | What it means for importers |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Waste (Amendment) Rules, 2025 | Allows barcodes/QR codes to display CPCB registration numbers on batteries and packaging. | Required for all new imports after Feb 2025. |
| Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2025 | PIBOs can share compliance info via QR codes or brochures; CPCB will publish quarterly lists. | Applies from July 2025. |
| E-waste (Management) Rules, 2022 | Mandates all importers of EEE to register as “Producers” on CPCB portal and meet EPR targets. | Mandatory since April 2023. |
The real risk of skipping compliance
Many companies assume these are “paperwork formalities.”
But every day, shipments get held up for reasons as small as:
- The label missing a CPCB registration number
- The DGFT license showing a slightly different HS code
- Unfiled quarterly EPR returns
- AMC (Annual Maintenance Charges) unpaid on the CPCB portal
These errors lead to:
- Customs detention & demurrage
- CPCB registration suspension
- Environment Act penalties (Rule 19, PWM 2025)
In other words: days lost, lakhs spent, and credibility shaken.
A better way forward
The most compliant importers treat DGFT, CPCB, and MoEFCC as one connected ecosystem — not three separate hurdles.
When you map your trade documentation (DGFT) to your environmental registrations (CPCB) and your policy requirements (MoEFCC), you unlock predictable, sustainable importing.
At Green Permits Consulting, we simplify that integration.
Your takeaway
If you’re importing electronics, batteries, or anything classified as environmentally sensitive, you need three things working together:
- DGFT license or authorization for the right HS code
- CPCB registration under the applicable waste rule (E-Waste, Battery, Plastic)
- Updated labeling, QR codes, and EPR returns as per MoEFCC notifications
Do that, and you’ll not just avoid penalties—you’ll join India’s growing circle of responsible importers driving a cleaner trade ecosystem.
Need help aligning your compliance before shipping?
At Green Permits Consulting, we help importers:
- Get DGFT and CPCB registrations in sync
- Update labeling and documentation as per 2025 rules
- File EPR returns without delays
- Build full environmental compliance systems that stand up at Customs
📞 +91 78350 06182
📧 wecare@greenpermits.in
Book a Consultation with Green Permits
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FAQs
DGFT regulates import permissions and licenses for restricted goods like e-waste, used batteries, and hazardous materials under India’s Foreign Trade Policy.
Yes. Importers of electrical or electronic equipment must register as producers on the CPCB E-Waste portal and fulfill EPR obligations.
The new labeling rule under the 2025 Battery and Plastic Waste amendments applies from February and July 2025 respectively.
Yes. Missing CPCB registration, incorrect labeling, or unfiled EPR returns can lead to Customs detention, suspension, and fines under the Environment Act.
You’ll need a DGFT import license, CPCB registration certificate, EPR number on labels, and compliance records of quarterly and annual returns.
