PSIC Certificate for Steel and Electronics Importers: Who Needs It and How to Get It

India’s import landscape changed quietly but significantly with DGFT Notification 12/2026, which created a new category of ‘restricted imports’ for certain high-risk product categories. Steel products, aluminium alloys, and specific consumer electronics — including mobile phone components and broadcasting equipment — now require a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from a DGFT-empanelled agency before the goods can be loaded at the origin port.

No PSIC, no clearance. Customs has been directed not to permit assessment or delivery of goods in these HS code ranges without a valid PSIC attached to the Bill of Entry. For importers in steel trading, construction, electronics manufacturing, and consumer goods distribution, this is a material compliance requirement.

What is a PSIC and Why Has DGFT Introduced It?

A Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate is a quality and conformity certification issued by an independent, DGFT-empanelled inspection agency after physical inspection of the goods at the country of origin — before they are loaded onto the vessel.

The PSIC verifies:

• The quantity and description of goods match the purchase order and commercial invoice
• The quality and specifications of the goods meet the declared standards (relevant Indian Standards Bureau standards, or buyer-specified standards)
• The goods are not counterfeit, substandard or mis described in terms of material composition

DGFT has introduced the PSIC requirement in response to concerns about dumping of substandard steel and electronics — particularly from origin countries where quality certificates have been found to be fraudulent or misrepresentative. The PSIC shifts verification to the origin port rather than relying solely on self-declaration by importers.

Which HS Codes Are Affected?

If your import falls within any of these HS code ranges, verify at the 8-digit level whether PSIC is specifically required. DGFT will publish a detailed Schedule of notified HS codes. Your customs house agent or DGFT consultant should be able to confirm your specific product’s status.

Which Agencies Are Empanelled to Issue PSIC?

DGFT has empanelled three global inspection agencies for PSIC issuance under Notification 12/2026:

• SGS India Pvt. Ltd. — one of the world’s largest inspection, verification, and certification companies
• Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services India Pvt. Ltd. — global leader in testing and inspection
• TUV SUD South Asia Pvt. Ltd. — German certification and inspection body with wide coverage

These agencies have offices and inspection infrastructure in major exporting countries, allowing them to conduct physical inspections at origin. All three are internationally recognised, and their certificates are accepted by Indian Customs.

A list of empanelled agencies with contact details is available on the DGFT portal at dgft.gov.in. DGFT may expand the empanelled list over time — always verify the current list before commissioning an inspection.

Step-by-Step: How to Get Your PSIC

1. Before placing your purchase order with the overseas supplier, confirm that your product falls under the notified HS code range and requires a PSIC
2. Engage one of the three DGFT-empanelled agencies (SGS, Bureau Veritas, or TUV SUD) at the earliest stage — ideally before or during production at the supplier’s facility
3. The agency will schedule a pre-shipment inspection at the supplier’s warehouse or factory
4. The inspection covers quantity verification, specification matching, and quality check against the agreed standards
5. Upon satisfactory inspection, the agency issues the PSIC. The certificate will reference your purchase order number, invoice number, HS code, quantity, and shipment details
6. Ensure the PSIC is included in your import documentation set: commercial invoice, packing list, Bill of Lading, and PSIC together form the minimum required set for customs assessment
7. At the Indian port, your customs house agent will attach the PSIC to the Bill of Entry. Customs examines the PSIC and, if in order, proceeds with assessment

What Happens If You Don’t Have a PSIC?

If your consignment arrives without a PSIC:

• Customs will issue a detention notice and place the goods in a bonded warehouse at your cost
• You will be required to arrange for the empanelled inspection agency to inspect the goods within the bonded warehouse — at significantly higher cost and with unpredictable timelines
• If the goods fail the inspection after arrival, they will be ordered for re-export or destruction
• Detention charges, demurrage, and port storage fees accumulate rapidly — a delay of 30 days on a full container at JNPT can cost ₹1.5–2.5 lakh in direct charges

The economics strongly favour pre-shipment inspection over post-arrival remediation.

Cost and Timeline: What to Expect

PSIC inspection fees vary by agency, country of origin, quantity, and complexity of inspection. As a rough guide:

• Basic quantity and description verification for steel: USD 300–600 per inspection (depending on volume)
• Full specification and quality inspection for electronics: USD 500–1,200 per inspection
• Turnaround time: 3–7 working days from inspection scheduling to certificate issuance, subject to supplier cooperation

Factor these costs and timelines into your purchase order terms. Where possible, negotiate with your overseas supplier for the PSIC cost to be borne by the seller, since it relates to the quality of goods they are supplying.

Impact on Existing Purchase Orders and Pending Shipments

Goods already shipped or in transit before Notification 12/2026 came into effect on 5 May 2026 are not retroactively subject to the PSIC requirement, provided the Bill of Lading date predates the notification. For goods where the Bill of Lading is dated after 5 May 2026, the PSIC is mandatory.

If you have purchase orders placed before May 2026 but not yet shipped, engage one of the empanelled agencies immediately to schedule inspections before your supplier dispatches the goods.

About Afleo Group: Afleo is a Mumbai-based DGFT and Customs Consultancy firm specialising in import compliance, restricted imports management, and end-to-end customs clearance. Our team monitors DGFT notifications to keep your import operations uninterrupted.