Solvent 60/80

Light petroleum solvent (naphtha, hydrocarbon solvents, white spirit)

PESO CLEARANCE

HSN 2710 12 31 (Solvent 60/80) is subject to Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) licensing under the Petroleum Rules, 2002 for import, transport, and storage. The tariff line is also governed by DGFT policy condition (5) of Chapter 27 as amended by DGFT Notification 27/2015-20 dated 16-09-2021, and consignments must arrive through Ministry of Shipping-approved ports declared as customs ports by the Commissioner of Customs.

What this is

HSN code

2710 12 31

Chapter

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

Primary regulator

PESO · Petroleum Rules, 2002

Customs documentation

Petroleum import licence from PESO
Port approval declaration from CBIC
ITC (HS) policy condition compliance from DGFT

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

PESOPESO·Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation

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

Compliance steps

1
Obtain a valid petroleum import licence from the Chief Controller of Explosives, Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organization (PESO), Nagpur, covering import, transport, and storage of Class A or Class B petroleum products. Solvent 60/80 falls within the Class B category alongside low aromatic white spirit, hydrocarbon solvents, and mineral turpentine oil.
Petroleum Rules, 2002 · DGFT Notification 27/2015-20 dated 16-09-2021 · amended policy condition (5) of Chapter 27
2
Route the consignment exclusively through a port or place approved by the Ministry of Shipping, Government of India, in consultation with the Chief Controller, and declared as a customs port by the Commissioner of Customs. Entry through any unapproved port renders the consignment liable to seizure.
Petroleum Rules, 2002 (port restriction provisions)
3
Ensure containers used for storing the imported Class B petroleum product conform to the specifications under Rules 4, 5, and 6 of the Petroleum Rules, 2002. Customs may also verify product identity against known misdeclaration patterns — Solvent 60/80 has been flagged as a category liable to misdeclaration as hydrocarbon solvents or IMCP.
Rules 4, 5 and 6 of the Petroleum Rules, 2002 · DRI Alert Circular 02/2020-CI dated 23-04-2020

A word of counsel

The most persistent error on this tariff line is treating the PESO licence as covering only storage and overlooking that import and transport are equally within its licensing scope — an unlicensed import leg exposes the consignee to enforcement under the Petroleum Rules, 2002 independently of any customs clearance. Additionally, DRI Alert Circular 02/2020-CI flags Solvent 60/80 as a product historically misdeclared as low aromatic white spirit or IMCP; a mismatch between the declared product description and the tested composition attracts confiscation and monetary penalty under the Customs Act, 1962.

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 2710 12 31 require BIS certification?

No, no BIS Quality Control Order covers light petroleum solvents under this tariff line. Import is governed by Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation licensing under the Petroleum Rules, 2002, with the DGFT-administered policy condition (5) of Chapter 27 as the ITC (HS) overlay.

Which ports are approved for sea or land import of petroleum products under this HSN?

Import is restricted to 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 under the Petroleum Rules, 2002; the current approved-port list should be confirmed with PESO before shipment.

What is the risk if Solvent 60/80 is found to be misdeclared at the port of entry?

A consignment found to be misdeclared as a hydrocarbon solvent or IMCP while actually being a different petroleum fraction is liable to confiscation and monetary penalty under the Customs Act, 1962, and the importer may face separate enforcement under the Petroleum Rules, 2002 for unlicensed import of a misclassified petroleum class.

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