Tungsten carbide

Tungsten carbide, inorganic carbide compounds

CBIC CLEARANCE

HSN 2849 90 20 (Tungsten carbide) is subject to mandatory additional qualifier declarations in the import entry administered by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023. With effect from 15 October 2023, all import declarations for Chapter 28 commodities must include the additional qualifiers stipulated in Paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of that Circular.

What this is

HSN code

2849 90 20

Chapter

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

Primary regulator

CBIC · Mandatory Chapter 28 qualifier declarations, CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus

Customs documentation

Chapter 28 qualifiers from CBIC
Import declaration from CBIC

Compliance steps

1
Include the mandatory additional qualifiers in the import declaration for this Chapter 28 commodity 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 to all import entries filed at any customs station.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, Paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2
2
Verify the completed import declaration against the qualifier checklist before bill-of-entry filing. An incomplete or absent qualifier declaration may result in a query or detention at customs examination, causing demurrage and ground rent at the port.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is filing the bill of entry with standard commodity particulars and omitting the Chapter 28 additional qualifiers required under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus. Because the qualifier obligation applies across Chapters 28, 29, 32, 39 and CTH 3808, importers familiar with those other chapters sometimes apply a chapter-specific qualifier template that does not map correctly to Chapter 28 — generating a mismatch that triggers a customs query and delays out-of-charge.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 2849 90 20 require BIS certification?

No, tungsten carbide under this tariff line is not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs under the mandatory Chapter 28 additional-qualifier regime introduced by CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus with effect from 15 October 2023.

From which date are the additional qualifiers in CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus mandatory for Chapter 28 imports?

The additional qualifier declarations under Paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus are mandatory with effect from 15 October 2023 for all import entries covering Chapter 28 commodities, including tungsten carbide.

Does the CBIC qualifier obligation apply only to tungsten carbide or to all carbides in Chapter 28?

The obligation applies to all commodities under Chapter 28 as a whole, not solely to tungsten carbide; other chapters covered by the same Circular include Chapters 29, 32, 39 and CTH 3808.

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