Toluol (toluene)

Toluol (toluene) from coal tar distillation

PESO CLEARANCE

HSN 2707 20 00 (Toluol/toluene) is subject to Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) licensing under the Petroleum Rules, 2002, as a Class-A petroleum product requiring a licence from the Chief Controller of Explosives before import, transport, or storage. Import by sea or land is restricted to ports and places approved by the Ministry of Shipping in consultation with the Chief Controller and declared as customs ports by the Commissioner of Customs.

What this is

HSN code

2707 20 00

Chapter

27 · Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes

Primary regulator

PESO · Petroleum Rules, 2002 (Class-A petroleum licence)

Customs documentation

Import licence from PESO
Approved-port declaration to CBIC
Container specification compliance from PESO

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

PESOPESO·Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation

Compliance steps

1
Obtain a petroleum import licence from the Chief Controller of Explosives, Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organisation (PESO), Nagpur, covering toluene as a Class-A petroleum product before filing the bill of entry. The licence must address the category, quantity, and storage specifications applicable to the consignment.
Petroleum Rules, 2002 · Class-A petroleum product licensing requirement
2
Route the consignment exclusively through a port or place approved by the Ministry of Shipping in consultation with the Chief Controller and declared as a customs port by the Commissioner of Customs. Diversion to an unapproved port renders the consignment liable to seizure under the Petroleum Rules, 2002.
Petroleum Rules, 2002 (approved-ports provision)
3
Confirm that all containers used for storing the imported toluene conform to the specifications prescribed under Rules 4, 5 and 6 of the Petroleum Rules, 2002. Non-conforming containers are a separate violation independent of the import licence.
Rules 4, 5 and 6 of the Petroleum Rules, 2002

A word of counsel

Toluene is routinely targeted in misdeclaration alerts: consignments may be presented as low aromatic white spirit, hydrocarbon solvents, or industrial mixture composition plus (IMCP) to evade Class-A petroleum controls. Customs officers are directed under DRI Alert Circular 02/2020-CI dated 23-04-2020 to scrutinise such descriptions; a misdeclared consignment faces confiscation and criminal liability under the Petroleum Rules, 2002, in addition to Customs Act penalties, and the importer's PESO licence does not provide a safe harbour if the declared description is false.

Need a regulatory steer on this product?

Speak to a regulatory counsel about your specific HSN, IS, and supplier situation.

Speak to an Expert

Frequently asked

Does HSN 2707 20 00 require BIS certification?

No. Toluol (toluene) from coal tar distillation is not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation under the Petroleum Rules, 2002, which requires a petroleum import licence from the Chief Controller of Explosives for this Class-A petroleum product.

Which ports are approved for import of toluene into India?

Import by sea or land is permitted only through ports and places approved by the Ministry of Shipping in consultation with the Chief Controller of Explosives and declared as customs ports by the Commissioner of Customs, as prescribed in the Petroleum Rules, 2002.

What enforcement risk arises if toluene is declared as a hydrocarbon solvent or low aromatic white spirit?

DRI Alert Circular 02/2020-CI dated 23-04-2020 specifically flags toluene misdeclared as low aromatic white spirit, hydrocarbon solvents, or IMCP; detection results in confiscation of the consignment and prosecution under the Petroleum Rules, 2002, alongside monetary penalties under the Customs Act, 1962.

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