India bans export of unsorted lithium-ion battery waste and scrap

The DGFT has amended the export policy for lithium-ion battery black mass from 'Free' to 'Prohibited' with immediate effect, until further orders.

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) announced the move in a statement. Representational image: Pexels
1 min read  |  Published: 10 Nov 2026

New Delhi: The Union government on Tuesday banned exports of unsorted waste and scrap of primary cells, batteries and electric accumulators that do not contain lead, cadmium or mercury with immediate effect.

"The export policy of waste and scrap of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators; spent primary cells, spent primary batteries and spent electric accumulators - Unsorted and not containing lead, cadmium or mercury (Lithium-ion Battery Black Mass)...is amended from 'Free' to 'Prohibited' with immediate effect, until further orders," the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notification.

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