Iron hydroxides

Iron hydroxides, inorganic iron compounds

CBIC CLEARANCE

HSN 2821 10 20 (Iron hydroxides) is subject to Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) import-declaration policy under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, which mandates additional qualifiers in the import declaration for all commodities under Chapter 28 with effect from 15 October 2023. The CCR for this tariff line also carries a drug-channel document overlay — certificate of analysis, batch release certificate, registration certificate, and import licence for drugs — which applies where the iron hydroxide is classified as a pharmaceutical input.

What this is

HSN code

2821 10 20

Chapter

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

Primary regulator

CBIC · CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023 (Chapter 28 mandatory qualifiers)

Customs documentation

Chapter 28 qualifiers from CBIC
Certificate of analysis from supplier
Registration certificate from CDSCO

Compliance steps

1
Include the mandatory additional qualifiers in the import declaration at the bill-of-entry stage as stipulated in Paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus. This obligation applies to all commodities under Chapter 28 with effect from 15 October 2023 and non-compliance results in the bill of entry being held for examination.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, Paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2
2
Where the iron hydroxide consignment is imported as a pharmaceutical input or drug intermediate, upload all five mandatory documents in e-Sanchit before the bill of entry is filed: certificate of analysis — drug (0010dc), batch release certificate (0030dc), label of consignment (0110dc), registration certificate for drugs (101dc1), and import licence for drugs (9111dc). The proper officer will verify upload of each document before granting out-of-charge.
CCR drug-channel document overlay — document codes 0010dc, 0030dc, 0110dc, 101dc1, 9111dc

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is submitting a generic Chapter 28 import declaration without the additional qualifiers prescribed in Paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus. Importers misread the qualifier requirement as administrative rather than substantive; in practice, the proper officer treats a missing or incomplete qualifier as a misdeclaration, triggering examination and potential detention. Where the same consignment serves both industrial and pharmaceutical end-uses, the pharmaceutical-channel documents must also be pre-uploaded in e-Sanchit even if the primary use is industrial.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 2821 10 20 require BIS certification?

No, iron hydroxides under this tariff line are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus, which mandates Chapter 28 additional qualifiers in the import declaration, with the drug-channel document overlay applying where the product is a pharmaceutical input.

Which document codes must be uploaded in e-Sanchit for a pharmaceutical-use consignment of iron hydroxides?

Five documents are required: certificate of analysis — drug (0010dc), batch release certificate (0030dc), label of consignment (0110dc), registration certificate for drugs (101dc1), and import licence for drugs (9111dc), all to be uploaded before out-of-charge is granted.

Does the Chapter 28 mandatory-qualifier requirement under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus apply to all importers of this HSN?

Yes, the qualifier obligation under Paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus applies to all import declarations for Chapter 28 commodities with effect from 15 October 2023, regardless of end-use or importer category.

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