The Indian government has officially banned the export of lithium-ion battery black mass with immediate effect. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued notification number 49/2026-27 on November 10, 2026, shifting the export status of this material from 'Free' to 'Prohibited'.
Black mass is a powder created by shredding used batteries and manufacturing waste. It contains valuable minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese. These materials are essential for electric vehicle battery production and energy storage systems.
By stopping these exports, the government aims to keep these resources within the country to strengthen its domestic battery recycling industry and reduce reliance on imports. The ban applies to unsorted battery waste and scrap under ITC(HS) code 85491400 that does not contain lead, cadmium, or mercury. Customs authorities will monitor shipments to ensure the material is not misclassified to bypass these new rules.
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