Benzene

Benzene, cyclic hydrocarbon solvent (industrial grade)

CIB&RC CLEARANCE · NDPS CLEARANCE

HSN 2902 20 00 (Benzene) is subject to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) regime under Chapter VII-A of the NDPS Rules, 1985 and, where the substance figures in the Schedule to the Insecticides Act, 1968, to registration and import permit requirements administered by the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC) under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971. The tariff line is also governed by ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29 administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), with mandatory Chapter 29 additional qualifiers in import declarations under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus.

What this is

HSN code

2902 20 00

Chapter

29 · Organic chemicals

Primary regulator

NDPS · NDPS Rules, 1985, Chapter VII-A (medical and scientific imports); CIB&RC · Insecticides Act, 1968 and Insecticides Rules, 1971

Customs documentation

Import certificate from NDPS
Registration and import permit from CIB&RC
Chapter 29 qualifiers from CBIC

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

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

NDPSNDPS·Narcotics Control Bureau

Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs.

Compliance steps

1
Where benzene is imported for medical or scientific purposes, obtain an import certificate under Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 (Chapter VII-A) from the Central Bureau of Narcotics before filing the bill of entry. Imports outside the medical/scientific category are governed by Appendix-I to the ITC (HS) Schedule under ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29.
NDPS Rules, 1985 — Rule 53 and Chapter VII-A; ITC (HS) policy condition 2 to Chapter 29
2
If the consignment falls within the Schedule to the Insecticides Act, 1968, secure registration and an import permit from the Secretariat of CIB&RC before shipment. Import of scheduled insecticides is restricted to the places notified under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971; route the consignment accordingly.
Insecticides Act, 1968 — Schedule; Insecticides Rules, 1971 — Rule 45
3
Ensure the bill of entry includes the mandatory additional qualifiers for Chapter 29 commodities as stipulated in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus, with effect from 15 October 2023. Where the imported quantity of a specified hazardous substance exceeds the threshold under S.O. 227(E) dated 24-03-1992, take out an insurance policy under the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023; S.O. 227(E) dated 24-03-1992

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is treating benzene as a straightforward industrial solvent and overlooking the dual NDPS and CIB&RC overlay. Not every consignment triggers both — NDPS applies to medical/scientific imports and Appendix-I governs the rest, while CIB&RC registration is activated only when the specific formulation figures in the Insecticides Act Schedule — but misclassifying the end-use at the time of filing exposes the importer to detention, confiscation, and potential criminal liability under the NDPS Act, 1985, independent of any customs duty resolution.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 2902 20 00 require BIS certification?

No. Benzene is not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the NDPS Rules, 1985 for medical and scientific purposes, the Insecticides Act, 1968 where the substance is scheduled, and ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29 administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

Which ports are permitted for import of scheduled insecticides under this tariff line?

Import of insecticides listed in the Schedule to the Insecticides Act, 1968 is restricted to notified places of import under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971; the current list must be confirmed with the Secretariat of CIB&RC before vessel departure.

Does the Public Liability Insurance requirement apply to all benzene imports?

No — the insurance obligation under the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 is triggered only when the quantity of a specified hazardous substance exceeds the threshold prescribed in S.O. 227(E) dated 24-03-1992 issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

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