Sandalwood chips and dust

Sandalwood chips and dust for perfumery or pharmacy

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 1211 90 51 (Sandalwood chips and dust) is classified as Free under the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), with no licence or permit required at the bill-of-entry stage. The Free status is operative under DGFT Notification 08/2023 dated 29-05-2023.

What this is

HSN code

1211 90 51

Chapter

12 · Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruit; industrial or medicinal plants

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) Free import policy, Chapter 12

Customs documentation

Import declaration from DGFT
Commercial invoice from exporter

Compliance steps

1
Confirm the import policy status at the time of filing the bill of entry. The tariff line 1211 90 51 is classified Free under the ITC (HS) policy per DGFT Notification 08/2023 dated 29-05-2023, and no import licence or permit is required.
DGFT Notification 08/2023 dated 29-05-2023
2
File the bill of entry with a standard commercial invoice and packing list confirming the goods are sandalwood chips and dust falling under CTI 1211 90 51. Correct tariff classification is critical, as adjacent sandalwood tariff lines may carry different policy conditions.
DGFT Notification 08/2023 dated 29-05-2023; Indian Customs Act, 1962

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is misclassification: sandalwood oil, sandalwood powder for cosmetic use, and sandalwood timber each fall under distinct headings with different regulatory overlays, and a bill of entry filed under the wrong CTI can trigger detention and re-assessment even where the underlying goods are freely importable. Verify that the product is specifically chips or dust of sandalwood before classifying under 1211 90 51.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 1211 90 51 require BIS certification?

No, sandalwood chips and dust are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) Free import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under DGFT Notification 08/2023 dated 29-05-2023, with no licence or permit required.

Is an import licence from DGFT required for this tariff line?

No. The import policy for CTI 1211 90 51 is Free per DGFT Notification 08/2023 dated 29-05-2023, meaning no licence, permit, or prior authorisation is required at the bill-of-entry stage.

Could sandalwood chips and dust attract any wildlife or forestry clearance?

The regulatory record records only a DGFT Free policy condition for this CTI; no WCCB, forest-produce, or CITES overlay is recorded for 1211 90 51. Importers should nonetheless verify the species and country of origin against current CITES Appendix listings before shipment.

Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-16. Source: DGFT / Indian Customs CUSDATA.