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HomeHSNChapter 28HSN 2801 10 00

Chlorine

Chlorine, elemental halogen gas

CBIC CLEARANCE

HSN 2801 10 00 (Chlorine) is subject to mandatory additional qualifier declarations under Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, operative from 15 October 2023 for all Chapter 28 commodities. Importers of chlorine exceeding specified threshold quantities must additionally maintain a Public Liability Insurance policy under the provisions of the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991, as notified by S.O. 227(E) dated 24-03-1992.

What this is
HSN code
2801 10 00
Chapter
28 · Inorganic chemicals; organic or inorganic compounds of precious metals
Primary regulator
CBIC · CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus; Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991
Customs documentation
  • Chapter 28 qualifiers declaration from CBIC
  • Public liability insurance policy from insurer
Compliance steps
  1. 1
    Include all mandatory additional qualifiers in the import declaration for Chapter 28 commodities as stipulated in Para 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus. Non-compliance with the qualifier requirements renders the bill of entry deficient and liable to detention from 15 October 2023 onwards.
    CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, Para 4.1 and 4.2
  2. 2
    Where the quantity of chlorine imported exceeds the threshold specified under S.O. 227(E) dated 24-03-1992, the owner must obtain a Public Liability Insurance policy covering third-party liability arising from hazardous substance incidents, as mandated by the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991.
    Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 · S.O. 227(E) dated 24-03-1992 issued by Ministry of Environment and Forests
A word of counsel

The most common oversight on this tariff line is failing to include the mandatory Chapter 28 qualifiers in the import declaration before the bill of entry is filed; the CBIC qualifier requirement applies at the declaration stage and cannot be rectified after out-of-charge without a formal amendment, attracting demurrage and ground rent during the corrective period. Additionally, importers often misjudge whether their consignment volume crosses the PLI Act threshold — confirm the specified quantity under S.O. 227(E) against actual import quantities before shipment.

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Frequently asked
Does HSN 2801 10 00 require BIS certification?
No, chlorine under this tariff line is not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import compliance is governed by CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus mandatory qualifier requirements for Chapter 28 commodities and, where applicable, the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 for threshold-exceeding hazardous substance imports.
From which date are the Chapter 28 mandatory qualifiers operative, and what do they cover?
The mandatory additional qualifiers for Chapter 28 import declarations are operative from 15 October 2023, as specified in Para 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023; they apply to commodities under Chapters 28, 29, 32, 39 and CTH 3808.
Does the Public Liability Insurance obligation apply to every chlorine import?
No. The PLI policy requirement under the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 is triggered only when the quantity of the hazardous substance imported exceeds the threshold specified in S.O. 227(E) dated 24-03-1992; imports below that threshold are not subject to the insurance obligation.
Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-16. Source: CBIC / Indian Customs CUSDATA.
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