Regulatory
India — oil import rules
2 product categories open to private trade, 2 restricted, 0 blocked. These are the same rules the OilFlow matching engine uses when screening listings destined for India.
Product-by-product
- Crude oil
- Restricted — government/monopoly routeCrude imports dominated by PSU refiners (IOC, BPCL, HPCL) and Reliance/Nayara. DGFT IEC (Importer Exporter Code) mandatory.
- Refined products (diesel, fuel oil, gasoline, jet)
- Allowed for private tradeDGFT IEC required. BIS standards apply for fuel quality.
- LPG
- Allowed for private tradeBulk LPG imports growing. IOC/BPCL dominate.
- LNG
- Restricted — government/monopoly routeGAIL, Petronet LNG dominate. Private terminals emerging.
Frequently asked
- Can private companies import crude oil into India?
- Crude imports dominated by PSU refiners (IOC, BPCL, HPCL) and Reliance/Nayara. DGFT IEC (Importer Exporter Code) mandatory.
- Are refined products (diesel, fuel oil, gasoline) tradeable by private importers in India?
- DGFT IEC required. BIS standards apply for fuel quality.
- Does OilFlow screen listings against India regulations?
- Yes. The same rule table shown on this page drives the matching engine — buyer-side listings that can't legally clear in India are rejected before they reach a seller.