Section Text
(1) If the Central Government is
satisfied that it is necessary so to do for any of the purposes specified in sub-section (2), it may, by
notification in the Official Gazette, prohibit either absolutely or subject to such conditions (to be fulfilled
before or after clearance) as may be specified in the notification, the import or export of goods of any
specified description.
(2) The purposes referred to in sub-section (1) are the following:--
(a) the maintenance of the security of India;
(b) the maintenance of public order and standards of decency or morality;
(c) the prevention of smuggling;
(d) the prevention of shortage of goods of any description;
(e) the conservation of foreign exchange and the safeguarding of balance of payments;
(f) the prevention of injury to the economy of the country by the uncontrolled import or export of
1[gold, silver or any other goods];
(g) the prevention of surplus of any agricultural product or the product of fisheries;
(h) the maintenance of standards for the classification, grading or marketing of goods
in international trade;
(i) the establishment of any industry;
(j) the prevention of serious injury to domestic production of goods of any description;
(k) the protection of human, animal or plant life or health;
(l) the protection of national treasures of artistic, historic or archaeological value;
(m) the conservation of exhaustible natural resources;
(n) the protection of patents, trademarks 2[, copyrights, designs and geographical indications];
(o) the prevention of deceptive practices;
(p) the carrying on of foreign trade in any goods by the State, or by a Corporation owned
or controlled by the State to the exclusion, complete or partial, of citizens of India;
(q) the fulfilment of obligations under the Charter of the United Nations for the maintenance
of international peace and security;
(r) the implementation of any treaty, agreement or convention with any country;
(s) the compliance of imported goods with any laws which are applicable to similar goods
produced or manufactured in India;
(t) the prevention of dissemination of documents containing any matter which is likely to
prejudicially affect friendly relations with any foreign State or is derogatory to national prestige;
(u) the prevention of the contravention of any law for the time being in force; and
(v) any other purpose conducive to the interests of the general public.
3[(3) Any prohibition or restriction or obligation relating to import or export of any goods or class of
goods or clearance thereof provided in any other law for the time being in force, or any rule or regulation
made or any order or notification issued thereunder, shall be executed under the provisions of that Act
only if such prohibition or restriction or obligation is notified under the provisions of this Act, subject to
such exceptions, modifications or adaptations as the Central Government deems fit.]
1. Subs. by Act 12 of 2020, s. 107, for "gold or silver" (w.e.f. 27-3-2020).
2. Subs. by Act 17 of 2013, s. 64, for and copyrights (w.e.f. 10-5-2013).
3. Sub-section (3) shall stand inserted (date to be notified) by Act 13 of 2018, s. 59.