Chloroform (trichloro methane)

Chloroform (trichloromethane), halogenated hydrocarbon solvent

CIB&RC CLEARANCE · NDPS CLEARANCE

HSN 2903 13 00 (Chloroform / trichloromethane) is subject to dual primary-regulator control: the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC) requires registration and an import permit under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971 where the substance falls within the Schedule to the Insecticides Act, 1968, and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) regime requires an import certificate under Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) administers the ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29, and CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023 mandates additional Chapter 29 qualifiers in the import declaration.

What this is

HSN code

2903 13 00

Chapter

29 · Organic chemicals

Primary regulator

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

Customs documentation

Registration certificate from CIB&RC
Import certificate from NDPS
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
Determine whether the chloroform consignment falls within the Schedule to the Insecticides Act, 1968. If so, obtain registration and an import permit from the Secretariat of the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee, and route the consignment only through ports notified under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971.
Insecticides Act, 1968 · Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971 · ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29
2
Where the import is for medical or scientific purposes, obtain an import certificate under Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 as per Chapter VII-A of those Rules. Imports falling outside the medical and scientific category are governed by Appendix I to the ITC (HS) Schedule and must comply with the NDPS policy conditions accordingly.
Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 · Chapter VII-A of the NDPS Rules, 1985 · ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29
3
Upload mandatory drug-related documents in e-Sanchit before filing the bill of entry: Certificate of Analysis — Drug (0010dc), Batch Release Certificate (0030dc), Label of Consignment (0110dc), Registration Certificate (Drugs) (101dc1), and Import Licence for Drugs (9111dc). Separately, ensure the import declaration includes the mandatory additional Chapter 29 qualifiers stipulated in Para 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus, effective 15-10-2023.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023 · e-Sanchit document codes 0010dc, 0030dc, 0110dc, 101dc1, 9111dc

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is treating the NDPS import certificate and the CIB&RC registration as alternative rather than concurrent requirements — both may apply simultaneously depending on end-use. Additionally, importers often miss the Public Liability Insurance obligation: where specified hazardous substances are imported in quantities exceeding the thresholds specified in S.O. 227(E) dated 24-03-1992 issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, the owner must take out an insurance policy under the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 before the consignment is released.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 2903 13 00 require BIS certification?

No, chloroform (trichloromethane) is not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee under the Insecticides Act, 1968 and concurrently by the NDPS regime under Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985, with the DGFT ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29 as the overarching import-policy overlay.

Are all imports of chloroform treated as NDPS-regulated, or only specific end-uses?

Imports for medical and scientific purposes may proceed under the special provisions of Chapter VII-A of the NDPS Rules, 1985 upon obtaining an import certificate under Rule 53; all other imports are governed by Appendix I to the ITC (HS) Schedule under ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29.

What happens if the mandatory Chapter 29 qualifiers are missing from the import declaration?

CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023 makes the additional qualifiers in Para 4.1 and 4.2 mandatory with effect from 15-10-2023; a declaration filed without those qualifiers is treated as non-compliant and may be detained by the proper officer pending rectification.

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