PESO License for Gas Cylinder & Valve Import in India

Anamika Rathore

Anamika Rathore

Published on: Jun 1, 2026

Shatakshi Sharma

Updated on: Jun 1, 2026

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Introduction

Importing filled or empty gas cylinders, or their valves, into India by sea, air, or land requires a valid license from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO). Operating under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, PESO enforces the Gas Cylinders Rules, 2016, to ensure all international equipment meets Indian safety standards before arriving at customs.

Applicable Provisions

Documents Required

1. Covering letter explaining the reason for import of Gas Cylinders/ Valves.
2. Copy of the License in Form E & F or F of the applicant for storing of the filled Gas Cylinders to be imported. No storage license is required for import of Empty Gas Cylinders and Valves.
3. Valid Manufacturers test and inspection certificates in all respects pertaining to each lot of cylinders/Valves.
4. Fillers certificates for the specific cylinders and specific Gases, if the application is made for import of filled Gas Cylinders.
5. MSDS of the gas filled in the cylinders.
6. Details of infrastructure or handling equipment’s for storage facility including emergency action plan and qualified and technical manpower details.
7. PLI details if import of empty cylinders or Valves from foreign manufactures covering India.
8. Agreement for returning back the empty cylinders to the country of origin in case of import of filled cylinders.

Essential Requirements

Applicant for a license to import gas cylinders (empty & filled) and valves into India from foreign countries through sea, air and land. The applicant shall ensure the following requirements are met:

• Cylinders/valves conform to Schedule I of the Gas Cylinders Rules
• Obtained pressure, leakage and safety testing of the cylinders from the PESO authorised testing facility.
• Necessary infrastructure, handling transportation and storage facility, including emergency action plan and qualified and trained technical manpower.

Clearances and Approvals Required for Indian Gas Cylinder Imports

1. Import via Sea
   The ship’s master or agent shall provide the Port Conservator with at least 48 hours’ notice of arrival and submit a signed written declaration in Form A. This declaration is delivered by the pilot to the Port Conservator, who then forwards it to the Commissioner of Customs. Furthermore, the importer or agent shall present a valid import licence to the Commissioner of Customs, as the cargo cannot be lawfully landed without their explicit permission.
2. Import via Land
   Importers shall obtain the previous sanction of the Central Government to import gas cylinders (empty & filled) and valves into India from foreign countries through land and adhere to specific conditions and restrictions imposed by the government.
3. Import via Air
   Importers shall obtain the previous sanction of the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to import gas cylinders (empty & filled) and valves into India from foreign countries through air.

Process

A person who desires to import gas cylinders (empty & filled) and valves into India from foreign countries through sea, air and land shall submit an application in Form B along with the required documents and fees as per Schedule-V to PESO via the official portal or the National Single Window System (NSWS).

After submission, PESO shall verify documents, conduct physical site inspection or design inspections. Once approved, the issued import licence remains valid for a maximum period of one year.

Renewal of License

Licensee shall submit an application in Form B on or before the expiry date of the license. Late applications for renewal of license are accepted with a double fee up to three months after expiry, increasing further for delays up to one year, while multi-year renewals incur late fees only on the first year.

Frequently Asked Questions