Agarwood

Agarwood, plants used in perfumery or pharmacy

WCCB CLEARANCE

HSN 1211 90 54 (Agarwood) is subject to Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) CITES permit controls under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. The tariff line is Restricted under the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) per DGFT Notification 08/2023 dated 29-05-2023.

What this is

HSN code

1211 90 54

Chapter

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

Primary regulator

WCCB · Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)

Customs documentation

CITES certificate from WCCB
ITC (HS) policy compliance from DGFT

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

WCCBWCCB·Wildlife Crime Control Bureau

Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

Compliance steps

1
Obtain a valid CITES certificate (document code 626000) from the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau before filing the bill of entry. The certificate must be uploaded in e-Sanchit; customs out-of-charge will not be granted until the CITES certificate is verified in the system.
CITES · DGFT Notification 08/2023 dated 29-05-2023
2
Confirm the consignment satisfies the ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy condition for Chapter 12. The import is permitted only subject to the CITES provisions, and any consignment lacking a current CITES certificate is liable to detention and re-export or confiscation.
DGFT Notification 08/2023 dated 29-05-2023

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is treating the CITES certificate as a generic phytosanitary document obtainable after arrival — it is a pre-shipment requirement that must be issued by the competent authority of the exporting country and uploaded in e-Sanchit before out-of-charge. A CITES certificate that is expired, covers a different quantity, or names a different consignee will not satisfy customs verification; the consignment faces detention and potential confiscation under the Wildlife Protection Act pending resolution.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 1211 90 54 require BIS certification?

No, agarwood is not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by Wildlife Crime Control Bureau CITES permit controls, with the tariff line classified as Restricted under the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade per DGFT Notification 08/2023.

What document code must be uploaded in e-Sanchit for the CITES certificate?

The CITES certificate must be uploaded under document code 626000 in e-Sanchit before customs out-of-charge; bills of entry that have not been routed through the WCCB for NOC are subject to manual verification by the proper officer.

Is the CITES restriction applicable to all forms of agarwood, including processed or powdered material?

Yes. HSN 1211 90 54 covers agarwood whether fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, cut, crushed, or powdered, and the CITES Restricted-import condition applies to all forms under this tariff line.

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