Potassium cyanide

Potassium cyanide for insecticidal or non-insecticidal use

CIB&RC CLEARANCE

HSN 2837 19 10 (Potassium cyanide) is subject to mandatory registration or import permit requirements administered by the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC) under Section 9 of the Insecticides Act, 1968. Import is permitted only through restricted places of entry under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971, and mandatory Chapter 28 additional qualifiers in the import declaration are required under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023.

What this is

HSN code

2837 19 10

Chapter

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

Primary regulator

CIB&RC · Insecticides Act, 1968 and Insecticides Rules, 1971

Customs documentation

Registration certificate from CIB&RC
Import permit from CIB&RC
Chapter 28 qualifiers from CBIC

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

CIB&RCCIB&RC·Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee

Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs.

Compliance steps

1
Obtain either a Certificate of Registration (for insecticidal-purpose imports) or an Import Permit (for non-insecticidal-purpose imports) from the CIB&RC under Section 9 of the Insecticides Act, 1968. The source of supply must match the source specified on the certificate or permit exactly — import from any other source is prohibited.
Section 9 of the Insecticides Act, 1968 · Insecticides Rules, 1971 · CBIC Circulars 35/11 dated 09-08-2011 and 7/14 dated 07-03-2014
2
Route the consignment only through places of import notified under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971. Diversion to an unnotified port renders the import unlawful regardless of the validity of the CIB&RC registration or permit.
Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971 · Court Order 2002 (146) ELT 19 (SC)
3
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-compliance with the qualifier requirement causes bill-of-entry rejection at the customs system level.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, Paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is importing potassium cyanide for a non-insecticidal purpose — such as electroplating or gold refining — under a registration certificate issued for an insecticidal purpose, or vice versa. CIB&RC issues distinct instruments for each intended use, and the certificate or permit specifies the approved source; a mismatch between declared end-use and instrument type, or between actual supplier and approved source, constitutes a violation of the Insecticides Act, 1968 and exposes the importer to confiscation and prosecution.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 2837 19 10 require BIS certification?

No, potassium cyanide is not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee under Section 9 of the Insecticides Act, 1968, requiring either a Certificate of Registration or an Import Permit depending on the intended use.

Is a separate CIB&RC instrument required when potassium cyanide is imported for non-insecticidal purposes such as electroplating?

Yes. Where the substance is imported for a non-insecticidal purpose, an Import Permit from the Registration Committee under the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation is required in place of a Certificate of Registration; the conditions of that permit, including the approved source, are binding.

What happens if the consignment arrives at a port not notified under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971?

Import through an unnotified port is unlawful under the Insecticides Rules, 1971 and the consignment is liable to seizure and confiscation, as affirmed by the Supreme Court in 2002 (146) ELT 19 (SC), irrespective of whether the CIB&RC certificate or permit is current.

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