Phosphorus pentachloride

Phosphorus pentachloride, a non-metal halide chlorinating reagent

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · IS 11744

HSN 2812 14 00 (phosphorus pentachloride) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 11744:1986 (reaffirmed 2015) is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme by virtue of the Phosphorous Pentachloride (Quality Control) Order, 2020, notified as S.O. 1898(E). Directorate General of Foreign Trade controls under the Chemical Weapons Convention framework and Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs declaration qualifiers apply as separate customs-clearance overlays.

What this is

HSN code

2812 14 00

Chapter

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

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 11744 · effective 16-12-2020

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

BISBIS·Bureau of Indian Standards

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 11744:1986 (reaffirmed 2015). Verify the supplier's CM/L number, licensed product scope, and manufacturing facility on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order.
Phosphorous Pentachloride (Quality Control) Order, 2020 · S.O. 1898(E) dated 16-06-2020 · Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
2
Ensure each consignment package bears the ISI standard mark and the supplier's CM/L number as required under Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Given the moisture-sensitive nature of phosphorus pentachloride, verify that packaging meets IS 11744 requirements for moisture-exclusion.
IS 11744:1986 (reaffirmed 2015) · Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
3
Within 30 days of import, notify consignment details to the National Authority for the Chemical Weapons Convention, Cabinet Secretariat; Ministry of External Affairs (D & ISA); Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals; and the Directorate General of Foreign Trade. Submit a copy of the bill of entry to DGFT within the same 30-day window.
Appendix-II of ITC (HS) Import Policy · CWC Act and Rules · Policy condition 2 of Chapter 28
4
Include mandatory additional qualifiers in the import declaration 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. Non-compliant declarations are liable to be held pending amendment.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023
5
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number on the bill of entry alongside the Chapter 28 additional qualifiers. Customs verifies the CM/L in real time against the BIS register; an absent, expired, or scope-mismatched licence triggers consignment detention.
Phosphorous Pentachloride (Quality Control) Order, 2020 · S.O. 1898(E) · BIS Act, 2016 · Customs Act, 1962 · General Note 2 of ITC (HS) Import Policy

A word of counsel

The most common compliance failure on this tariff line is overlooking the dual post-import notification obligation under the Chemical Weapons Convention framework. Importers focused on the BIS CM/L licence frequently miss the 30-day window to notify the National Authority, Cabinet Secretariat, Ministry of External Affairs, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, and DGFT — each a separate statutory addressee — and to file the bill-of-entry copy with DGFT; late or absent notification constitutes a separate breach of the CWC Act and Rules entirely independent of BIS QCO non-compliance.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 2812 14 00 require BIS certification?

Yes. Phosphorus pentachloride must conform to IS 11744:1986 (reaffirmed 2015) and be imported only from a CM/L-licensed manufacturer under the ISI Mark Scheme, with effect from 16 December 2020, by virtue of the Phosphorous Pentachloride (Quality Control) Order, 2020.

Is phosphorus pentachloride subject to Chemical Weapons Convention controls in addition to the BIS QCO?

Yes. As a Category 1C chemical under Appendix-II of the ITC (HS) Import Policy, import requires post-import notification to five specified authorities within 30 days and submission of the bill of entry to DGFT; this obligation applies to imports from both state parties and non-state parties to the CWC.

What are the additional qualifier requirements for Chapter 28 imports introduced in 2023?

CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus, effective 15 October 2023, mandates additional qualifiers in import declarations for Chapter 28 commodities as specified in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2. Declarations filed without the required qualifiers are liable to be held for amendment at the port.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all grades and packaging formats of phosphorus pentachloride?

No. The CM/L is scope-specific to the licensed manufacturing facility and product specification under IS 11744; product from an unlicensed plant or outside the licensed grade and packaging specification is not covered by that licence.

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