SCOMET is an abbreviation for Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment and Technologies. This is a range of items that need closer examination before they can be exported from India.
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Knowing whether your product is on the SCOMET list is important to avoid delays, compliance issues, and possible penalties. With Agile Regulatory, you can apply for a SCOMET license, as we assist you in identifying whether you need the license, how to apply, applicable costs, and key documents. Our experts can help you throughout the process.
Some products may look ordinary, but they can have applications that create serious risks if they reach the wrong hands. A chemical for medicine, a drone for agricultural surveys, sophisticated electronic equipment, or a powerful computer chip may be used for civilian as well as strategic purposes. To control the export of these sensitive software and technologies, the Government of India requires exporters to follow certain rules and take prior approval if required. This permission is commonly known as a SCOMET license.
SCOMET stands for Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment and Technologies. It is India's official list of "dual-use" items. Dual-use means an item has a normal civilian purpose but could also be used for military purposes or weapons.
Take a kitchen knife as an example. It's for cooking, but it could also hurt someone. SCOMET items work the same way, only on a much bigger and more dangerous scale.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the Ministry of Commerce administers the list of SCOMET items. The full list is published as Schedule 2 to Appendix 3 of ITC (HS). The legal rules come from the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992, Chapter 10 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, and the Weapons of Mass Destruction Act, 2005.
A SCOMET license, sometimes called a SCOMET certificate or SCOMET export authorisation, is written permission from the government to export a controlled item. You must have it before the goods leave India.
Different authorities issue it depending on the product:
DGFT handles most categories.
Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) handles Category 0 (nuclear items).
Department of Defence Production (DDP), Ministry of Defence, handles most of Category 6 (munitions).
SCOMET covers more than physical goods. Software and technology are controlled too. Emailing a controlled design file or sharing technical know-how with a foreign company can need a license, even though nothing is physically shipped.
People often mix these two up.
A SCOMET declaration is a self-declaration an exporter gives, usually along with the shipping bill at customs. It states either that the goods are not on the SCOMET list, or that a valid SCOMET authorisation exists. It is typically a short statement on company letterhead, signed by an authorised person.
A SCOMET license is formal government approval for a controlled item. If your product is on the list, a declaration alone is not enough. You need the license.
The primary reasons to apply for a SCOMET license are:
Safety for the Nation and the World: The license prevents sensitive goods from falling into the hands of terrorists or criminal groups or weapons programs.
International commitments: India’s SCOMET list is based on the control lists of four international groups, namely Wassenaar Arrangement, Missile Technology Control Regime, Australia Group and Nuclear Suppliers Group.
Trust with global buyers: foreign companies and governments are more willing to trade with Indian exporters who comply with proper export controls.
Legal protection: Exporting a SCOMET item without authorisation can lead to seized goods, heavy fines, a cancelled Import Export Code (IEC), and even criminal cases.
The SCOMET license list is divided into nine categories:
|
Category |
What It Covers |
Licensing Authority |
|
0 |
Nuclear materials, equipment and technology |
DAE |
|
1 |
Toxic chemical agents and other chemicals |
DGFT |
|
2 |
Micro-organisms and toxins |
DGFT |
|
3 |
Materials, materials processing equipment and related technology |
DGFT |
|
4 |
Nuclear-related equipment and technology not covered in Category 0 |
DGFT |
|
5 |
Aerospace systems, equipment and related technology |
DGFT |
|
6 |
Munitions list |
DDP (with some sub-categories under DGFT) |
|
7 |
Certain emerging technologies (such as advanced semiconductors, quantum technology and cryogenic systems) |
DGFT |
|
8 |
Special materials, electronics, computers, telecom, information security, sensors, lasers, navigation, marine and propulsion |
DGFT |
Even if your item is not on the list, you still need a SCOMET authorisation if DGFT tells you in writing that one is needed, or if you know or suspect the item could be used for weapons of mass destruction, missiles or military purposes.
Important update: Category 7 was a "reserved" (empty) category for years. DGFT filled it through Notification No. 31/2025-26, and the new controls apply from 23 October 2025. If you export electronics, chips, or advanced tech, recheck your products.
A helpful tip: You can't decide whether a product is on the list from its HS code alone. SCOMET classification depends on technical details like purity, power, speed, or accuracy. A chemical at one purity level may be free to export, while the same chemical at a higher purity may be controlled.
You may need a SCOMET license in India if your business:
Makes or trades speciality chemicals or biological materials
Exports electronics, semiconductors, sensors, lasers or telecom equipment
Builds drones, aerospace parts or navigation systems
Sells encryption or information-security software abroad
Shares controlled technology with foreign clients, partners or group companies
Operates from an SEZ or EOU and exports controlled items outside India.
For SEZ and EOU units, there is a special rule. Supplying SCOMET items from the domestic market to an SEZ or EOU does not need an authorisation, but the supplier must report it to the Development Commissioner within one week. Exporting the items out of India from the SEZ or EOU does need an authorisation.
Requirements vary by product and authorisation type, but most applications need:
A valid Import Export Code (IEC)
A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) to sign in and file on the DGFT portal
End-Use-cum-End-User Certificates (EUCs) from every entity in the supply chain, including the foreign buyer, the consignee and any intermediaries, in the prescribed format
A purchase order, contract or supply agreement
Detailed technical specifications of the item, software or technology
The SCOMET category and sub-category you believe applies
A Legal Undertaking, for temporary exports such as exhibitions or repairs
Any other document DGFT asks for during review
The SCOMET license application is filed online. Physical filing is no longer accepted, but original EUCs must still be sent by post:
Classify your product: Compare its technical specifications with the latest SCOMET list. If you're unsure, get expert help before filing.
Get your basics ready: Make sure your IEC is active, and your DSC works.
Log into the DGFT portal: Click on ‘Services’ and then ‘Export Management System’ and then ‘SCOMET’.
Fill out the application form: Applications are made on form ANF 10A. You will fill in information on the item, its category, port, country of destination, buyer, consignee and end-user. Upload PDF files of your documents.
Send the original EUCs: Post the hard copies, with a covering letter showing your application file number, to the SCOMET Cell at DGFT Headquarters, Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi.
Government review: An Inter-Ministerial Working Group (IMWG) examines the application. Member ministries try to send their comments within 30 days, and the group normally meets once a month. They look at the end-user's background, the destination country, and the risk of misuse.
Get your authorisation: Once approved, the SCOMET Cell issues the export authorisation, which you can view on your DGFT dashboard.
Processing time depends on the product, the destination, and how complete your documents are. Clean, accurate applications move much faster than ones DGFT has to send back for corrections.
A standard SCOMET authorisation is valid for 24 months from the date of issue.
If you need more time, you can apply to revalidate it in form ANF 10F at least 30 days before it expires. Revalidation is granted for six months at a time, up to a maximum of 12 extra months. However, authorisations for technology or software transfers cannot be revalidated.
Some special "general authorisations" have their own validity periods and cannot be revalidated:
General Authorisation for Export of Chemicals (GAEC): 5 years
Intra-company transfers (GAICT), telecom (GAET), information security (GAEIS) and drones (GAED): 3 years
Export after repair (GAER): 1 year
License holders must keep all related records for 5 years or for the license's validity, whichever is longer.
SCOMET license fees have two parts:
1. Government fees: The official fee is commonly reported as ₹1,000 for an application and ₹500 for revalidation. Government fees can change, so always check the current amount on the DGFT portal before paying.
2. Professional fees: If you’re working with a consultant, the fee will depend on the complexity of your product, the number of items and supply-chain partners, and whether you need help with classification.
We give you a clear written quote after reviewing your product. There are no hidden charges.
Exporting SCOMET items without permission is a serious offence. Possible consequences include:
goods being held or seized at the port
financial penalties under the FTDR Act, which can reach up to five times the value of the goods
suspension or cancellation of your IEC
criminal prosecution, including possible imprisonment, under the WMD Act
If you discover a past mistake, DGFT has a voluntary self-disclosure process. Coming forward on your own may be treated as a mitigating factor, though it does not guarantee you will avoid penalties.
The rules are technical, and one wrong classification can delay a shipment or put your business at legal risk. As experienced SCOMET license consultants, we support you at every stage:
Product classification: We check your product's technical specifications against the latest SCOMET list, including the new Category 7.
Document preparation: We draft and review EUCs, undertakings, and your SCOMET declaration.
SCOMET license online filing: We prepare and file your application correctly on the DGFT portal.
Query handling: We respond to DGFT questions quickly and clearly.
Compliance guidance: We help you set up simple internal checks so every future export stays compliant.
No. It is only needed for items on the SCOMET list, or items caught by the catch-all rule. Other exports usually just need a declaration that the goods are not SCOMET items.
No. SCOMET authorisations are issued to a specific exporter for specific items and cannot be transferred.
Possibly. If the drawings count as controlled "technology" under the SCOMET list, sharing them electronically needs authorisation, just like shipping goods.
The latest list is on the DGFT website (dgft.gov.in), published as Appendix 3 to Schedule 2 of ITC (HS).
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