Compressed air

Compressed air, inorganic compound for industrial use

CBIC CLEARANCE

HSN 2853 90 30 (Compressed air) is subject to mandatory additional qualifier declarations in the import entry under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, administered by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). All import declarations for Chapter 28 commodities must include the prescribed qualifiers at the bill-of-entry stage as stipulated in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of that Circular, operative from 15 October 2023.

What this is

HSN code

2853 90 30

Chapter

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

Primary regulator

CBIC · Mandatory qualifier declarations, Chapter 28 import policy

Customs documentation

Chapter 28 qualifiers from CBIC
Bill of entry declaration to CBIC

Compliance steps

1
Include the mandatory additional qualifiers in the import declaration as prescribed in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus. These qualifiers are compulsory for all Chapter 28 commodity import entries with effect from 15 October 2023; a declaration that omits them is liable to detention pending amendment.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2
2
File the bill of entry at customs and ensure the qualifier fields are correctly populated before the out-of-charge order is issued. Non-compliance with the Chapter 28 qualifier requirement attracts customs examination and may result in consignment hold pending rectification.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is treating compressed air as a routine low-risk commodity and omitting the Chapter 28 mandatory qualifiers from the import declaration. CBIC's verification framework under Circular 23/2023-Cus applies uniformly to all Chapter 28 entries regardless of the apparent simplicity of the product; a qualifier-deficient declaration triggers examination and amendment proceedings that delay out-of-charge and accumulate demurrage.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 2853 90 30 require BIS certification?

No. Compressed air under this tariff line is not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. The operative compliance requirement is the mandatory additional qualifier declaration in the import entry under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023.

From which date are the Chapter 28 mandatory qualifiers operative for this tariff line?

The mandatory additional qualifiers prescribed in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus are operative from 15 October 2023 for all import declarations covering Chapter 28 commodities including HSN 2853 90 30.

What happens if the mandatory qualifiers are omitted from the import declaration?

A declaration lacking the Chapter 28 qualifiers is liable to customs examination and detention pending amendment, which may result in consignment hold, demurrage, and ground rent until the bill of entry is corrected to CBIC's satisfaction.

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