Phosphoric acid

Ortho-phosphoric acid (phosphoric acid specification)

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · IS 798 · FSSAI OVERLAY

HSN 2809 20 10 (ortho-phosphoric acid) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 798:2020 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 10 December 2022, by virtue of the Ortho Phosphoric Acid (Quality Control) Order, 2021. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India import licensing and labelling controls apply as a separate customs-clearance overlay for food-grade consignments.

What this is

HSN code

2809 20 10

Chapter

28 · Inorganic chemicals; organic or inorganic compounds of precious metals

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 798:2020 · effective 10-12-2022

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

BISBIS·Bureau of Indian Standards

FSSAIFSSAI·Food Safety and Standards Authority of India

Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

Compliance steps

1
Source only from a Bureau of Indian Standards CM/L-licensed manufacturer holding a current licence against IS 798:2020. Verify the supplier's CM/L number, licensed product scope (technical, food, or pharmacopoeial grade), and licensed manufacturing facility on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order.
Ortho Phosphoric Acid (Quality Control) Order, 2021 · S.O. 2335(E) dated 15-06-2021 · S.O. 4914(E) dated 29-11-2021 · S.O. 2225(E) dated 13-05-2022
2
Ensure every consignment bears the ISI Standard Mark and the supplier's CM/L number under licence per Scheme-II of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. The Standard Mark must appear on the product or its primary packaging, not on outer shipper cartons alone.
Scheme-II of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · Ortho Phosphoric Acid (Quality Control) Order, 2021
3
For food-grade acid consignments, obtain a valid FSSAI import licence and prepare a specimen label before shipment. Upload both the specimen label (document code 0110FS) and the FSSAI import licence (document code 911001) in e-Sanchit prior to filing the bill of entry.
FSSAI import licence requirement · e-Sanchit document codes 0110FS and 911001 · General Note 4(d) of Schedule-I of ITC(HS) 2022
4
Ensure the bill of entry includes mandatory additional qualifiers for Chapter 28 commodities as stipulated in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus with effect from 15 October 2023. Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number on the bill of entry; customs verifies it against the BIS register in real time.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023 · BIS Act, 2016 · Customs Act, 1962
5
For food-grade consignments with labelling deficiencies, rectification is permitted at customs-bonded warehouses before inspection by affixing a single non-detachable sticker, in accordance with CBIC Instruction 09/23-Cus. Rectification must not alter original label information and must be verified by the authorised officer.
CBIC Instruction 09/23-Cus dated 07-03-2023 · CBIC Instruction 10/2022-Customs dated 28-06-2022 · FSSAI order dated 18-11-2022 under F.No.Import/TFM/APEX/2022-FSSAI

A word of counsel

The most common blunder on this tariff line is sourcing a CM/L-licensed supplier for one grade — typically technical grade — and then shipping food-grade or pharmacopoeial-grade acid against the same licence. IS 798:2020 distinguishes three grades; the CM/L is scope-specific by grade, and customs will detain a food-grade consignment whose CM/L does not explicitly cover food-grade even if the ISI mark appears on the drum. Confirm the grade-specific licence scope in writing from the supplier before the purchase order, not at port.

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 2809 20 10 require BIS certification?

Yes. Conformity to IS 798:2020 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme from 10 December 2022 under the Ortho Phosphoric Acid (Quality Control) Order, 2021; import is permitted only from manufacturers holding a current BIS CM/L licence covering the relevant grade.

Is FSSAI import licensing required separately from BIS QCO compliance?

Yes, for food-grade acid. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India import licence and specimen label must be uploaded in e-Sanchit under document codes 911001 and 0110FS respectively; this obligation is independent of the BIS CM/L requirement.

Which QCO notifications govern the BIS obligation on this tariff line?

The Ortho Phosphoric Acid (Quality Control) Order, 2021 was issued as S.O. 2335(E) dated 15-06-2021, amended by S.O. 4914(E) dated 29-11-2021 and S.O. 2225(E) dated 13-05-2022; the BIS IS 798:2020 marking obligation became effective from 10-12-2022.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all grades of phosphoric acid from the same manufacturer?

No. IS 798:2020 specifies technical, food, and pharmacopoeial grades separately; a CM/L licence is scope-specific by grade and manufacturing facility, and acid outside the licensed grade is not covered.

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