Exporting chemicals, electronics, or aerospace parts? They might be "Dual-Use". Ensure compliance with India's rigorous SCOMET regulations to avoid customs seizure.
Check if your product requires a license.
SCOMET stands for Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment and Technologies. These are "dual-use" items, meaning they have civilian applications but can also be used for military purposes or in the production of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD).
Under India's Foreign Trade Policy, the export of SCOMET items is either prohibited or permitted only under a license issued by the DGFT. This list is harmonized with global control regimes like the Wassenaar Arrangement, Australia Group, and Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).
Exporting SCOMET items without a license is a serious offense under the Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Act, leading to imprisonment and heavy fines.
Identify where your product fits.
Unlike standard licenses, SCOMET applications are reviewed by an Inter-Ministerial Working Group (IMWG) comprising DGFT, MEA, DRDO, and other security agencies.
Technical mapping of item specifications to the exact SCOMET entry.
Obtaining End User Certificate (EUC) from the foreign buyer (Appendix 2S).
Online filing of application ANF 2Q on the DGFT portal.
Scrutiny by multiple ministries. Queries regarding end-use are common.
Issuance of export authorization (valid for 24 months).
Precision is key. A single error in the End User Certificate can lead to immediate rejection.
For exporters supplying SCOMET items to the same foreign entity repeatedly (within Intra-Company transfers), the Global Authorization for Intra-Company Transfer (GAICT) allows bulk approval for 3 years.
SCOMET isn't just paperwork; it’s a security clearance. CloudDesk ensures you don't end up on a global 'Denied Persons List'.
Many exporters don't even know their product is restricted (e.g., certain high-grade chemicals, drones, or specialized software).CloudDesk performs a Deep-Technical Audit of your product specifications against the 8 SCOMET categories to determine if you need a license.
Customs doesn't just look at the product; they look at the Buyer. CloudDesk conducts a Global Denied Party Screening. We check your foreign buyer against UN, US, and Indian watchlists before you sign the contract, protecting you from "Accidental Proliferation."
SCOMET licenses aren't issued by DGFT alone. They are vetted by the Inter-Ministerial Working Group (IMWG), including representatives from Defence, Space, and Atomic Energy.CloudDesk manages the high-level technical representations needed to convince these agencies that your export is for peaceful use.
For regular exporters of certain SCOMET items (like chemicals or electronics) to friendly nations, we help you secure the Global Authorisation for Intra-Company Transfers (GAEC).This allows you to export multiple times to pre-approved entities without applying for a fresh license every time.
There are 9 categories (0 to 8) covering: Category 0: Nuclear materials. Category 1: Toxic chemicals and agents. Category 2: Micro-organisms/Toxins. Category 3: Materials/Material Processing. Category 5: Aerospace/Avionics. Category 8: Special Electronics and Computers (The most common category for tech startups).
Because the same drone can be modified for surveillance or payload delivery. In 2026, any hardware or software with "strategic encryption" or "precision navigation" likely falls under Category 5 or 8.
Yes. SCOMET isn't just for physical goods. If you are "Transferring Technology" (via email, cloud, or training) to a foreign entity that falls under the SCOMET description, you need a license.
This is the most critical document. Your foreign buyer must provide an Appendix 10B (EUC), legally promising that they will not use the item for weapons and will not re-export it without Indian government permission.
It is extremely difficult. The IMWG rarely approves licenses for regions under UN embargo or active conflict. CloudDesk provides a Country-Risk Report before you begin the application.
Under the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act and the WMD Act, 2005, the penalties include: (1) Heavy fines (into crores), (2) Imprisonment (up to life in some cases), and (3) Permanent cancellation of your IEC.
Because of the inter-ministerial vetting, it takes 45 to 90 days. CloudDesk’s "Filing-Accuracy" protocol ensures your application isn't returned for queries, which is the #1 cause of further delays.
Even if your item is NOT on the SCOMET list, if the government suspects it is intended for a WMD program, they can stop the shipment under "Catch-All" controls. CloudDesk helps you document the "Peaceful End-Use" to mitigate this risk.