Of calcium

Calcium carbide, inorganic carbide of calcium

CBIC CLEARANCE

HSN 2849 10 00 (Calcium carbide) requires a licence from the Controller/Chief Controller of Explosives under the Calcium Carbide Rules, 1987, and import is permitted exclusively by sea through nine notified ports. Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023 additionally mandates Chapter 28 qualifiers in the import declaration with effect from 15 October 2023.

What this is

HSN code

2849 10 00

Chapter

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

Primary regulator

CBIC · Calcium Carbide Rules, 1987 (Controller of Explosives licensing)

Customs documentation

Explosives licence from Controller of Explosives
Sea-port compliance declaration to CBIC
Chapter 28 qualifiers from CBIC

Compliance steps

1
Obtain a valid licence from the Controller or Chief Controller of Explosives before filing the bill of entry. The licence must cover the category and quantity of calcium carbide being imported and must be available for verification by the proper officer at the port of discharge.
Rules 9, 10 and 26 of the Calcium Carbide Rules, 1987
2
Route the consignment exclusively by sea through one of the nine notified ports: Bombay, Calcutta, Cochin, Tuticorin, Kandla, Madras, Mangalore, Port Blair, or Visakhapatnam. Import by any other mode of transport or through any unlisted port is not permitted.
Rule 26 of the Calcium Carbide Rules, 1987
3
Include the 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. This requirement is operative with effect from 15 October 2023 and applies at the bill-of-entry stage.
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 confusing the Controller of Explosives licensing requirement with a general industrial-chemicals clearance. Calcium carbide is regulated as an explosive-precursor substance under the Calcium Carbide Rules, 1987, not merely as an inorganic chemical; a consignment arriving with only a commercial import licence and no Controller of Explosives authorisation will be detained at the port pending regularisation, with demurrage and ground rent accruing from the date of discharge.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 2849 10 00 require BIS certification?

No, calcium carbide is not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the Controller of Explosives licensing regime under the Calcium Carbide Rules, 1987, with CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus imposing mandatory Chapter 28 declaration qualifiers from 15 October 2023.

Which ports are authorised for the import of calcium carbide?

Import is permitted only by sea through Bombay, Calcutta, Cochin, Tuticorin, Kandla, Madras, Mangalore, Port Blair, and Visakhapatnam; arrival at any other port or by any mode other than sea renders the consignment liable to enforcement action under the Calcium Carbide Rules, 1987.

What happens if the Controller of Explosives licence has expired at the time of import?

An expired licence does not satisfy the Rules 9, 10 and 26 requirements; customs will detain the consignment and the importer faces the risk of confiscation and monetary penalty under the Calcium Carbide Rules, 1987 until a current licence is produced.

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