The Directorate General of Foreign Trade has amended the import policy for Low Ash Metallurgical Coke under Chapter 27 of ITC (HS), 2022, by introducing a new Policy Condition restricting such imports for a limited period. With effect from 1 January 2026 to 30 June 2026, the import of Low Ash Metallurgical Coke having ash content below 18%, including coke fines, coke breeze, and ultra-low phosphorous metallurgical coke used in ferroalloy manufacturing, has been classified as “Restricted” under specified ITC (HS) codes. These imports will now be permitted only in accordance with the newly inserted Policy Condition No. 08. In contrast, metallurgical coke with ash content above 18% and other products falling under the same ITC (HS) codes will continue to remain “Free” for import. The notification aims to regulate the inflow of low-ash metallurgical coke while leaving higher-ash variants unaffected, thereby balancing domestic industry requirements with trade controls.
Government of India
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Department of Commerce
Directorate General of Foreign Trade
Vanijya Bhawan
Notification No. 53/2025-26 – DGFT | Dated: 31st December 2025
Subject: Amendment in Import Policy & Policy Condition of Low Ash Metallurgical Coke under Chapter 27 of ITC (HS), 2022, Schedule-I (Import Policy) — regarding.
S.O. 173(E).— In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 and Section 5 of the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992, read with paragraphs 1.02 and 2.01 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023, as amended from time to time, the Central Government hereby amends the Import Policy of Low Ash Metallurgical Coke under Chapter 27 of ITC (HS), 2022, Schedule-I (Import Policy), as under:
1. Policy Condition No. 08 of Chapter 27 is introduced as under:
a) Import of “Low Ash Metallurgical Coke (HS Codes 27040020, 27040030, 27040040, 27040090) having ash content below 18%, including coke fines / coke breeze and ultra-low phosphorous metallurgical coke with phosphorous content up to 0.030% with size upto 30 mm with 5% size tolerance for use in ferroalloy manufacturing” shall be “Restricted” from 01.01.2026 till 30.06.2026.
b) Other imports under above ITC (HS) codes including metallurgical Coke with high ash content, that is, ash content above 18% is outside the scope of “Restriction” and shall be `Free’.
2. The Import Policy for the following ITC (HS) Code is amended as under:
| ITC (HS) Code | Item Description | Existing Import Policy |
Existing Policy Condition | Revised Import Policy |
Revised Policy Condition |
| 27040020 | Coke and semi- coke of lignite or of peat | Free | Import of “Low Ash Metallurgical Coke having ash content below 18%, excluding coke fines / coke breeze and ultra-low phosphorous metallurgical coke with phosphorous content up to 0.030% with size upto 30 mm with 5% size tolerance for use in ferroalloy manufacturing” shall be “Restricted”. Import shall be permitted subject to Policy Condition 8 of this Chapter. Other Imports under given ITC (I–IS) code shall be ‘Free’. |
Restricted | Subject to Policy Condition No. 08 of this Chapter. |
| 27040030 | Hard coke of coal | ||||
| 27040040 | Soft coke of coal | ||||
| 27040090 | Other |
Effect of this Notification:
Import of Low Ash Metallurgical Coke (having ash content below 18%), including coke fines/coke breeze and ultra-low phosphorous metallurgical coke, falling under ITC (f-IS) Codes 27040020, 27040030. 27040040 and 27040090, is “Restricted” from 01.01.2026 till 30.06.2026 and shall be permitted only in accordance with Policy Condition No. 08 of Chapter 27, while imports of metallurgical coke with ash content above 18% and other imports under the said ITC (HS) codes shall continue to remain “Free”.
This is issued with the approval of the Minister of Commerce & Industry.
(Lay Agarwal)
Director General of Foreign Trade &
Ex-Officio Addl. Secretary to the Govt. of India
Email: dgft’Wnic.in
(Issued from F. No. 01/89/180/23/AM-23/PC-2[A]/E-38692)
