1,1,1-Trichloroethane (methyl chloroform)

1,1,1-Trichloroethane (methyl chloroform), ozone-depleting solvent

MEFCC CLEARANCE

HSN 2903 19 21 (1,1,1-Trichloroethane, methyl chloroform) is subject to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MEFCC) controls under the Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, as an ozone-depleting substance under the Restricted-import policy of the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). The tariff line is Restricted under DGFT Notification 44/2025-26 dated 15-10-2025, subject to policy condition 1 of Chapter 29, and imports of specified hazardous quantities additionally require a public-liability insurance policy under the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991.

What this is

HSN code

2903 19 21

Chapter

29 · Organic chemicals

Primary regulator

MEFCC · Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000

Customs documentation

ODS import authorisation from MEFCC
Import Licence from DGFT
Chapter 29 qualifiers from CBIC

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

MEFCCMEFCC·Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

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

Compliance steps

1
Obtain the MEFCC authorisation for import of ozone-depleting substances and confirm compliance with the Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, as amended. The import policy is Restricted under DGFT Notification 44/2025-26 dated 15-10-2025, and the consignment must satisfy policy condition 1 of Chapter 29 and General Notes para 8(a) before the bill of entry is filed.
DGFT Notification 44/2025-26 dated 15-10-2025 · Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 · ITC (HS) General Notes para 8(a)
2
Include mandatory additional qualifiers in the import declaration as required under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, applicable to commodities under Chapter 29, with effect from 15-10-2023. Failure to furnish the Chapter 29 qualifiers at the bill-of-entry stage results in a non-compliant declaration and potential detention of the consignment.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, para 4.1 and 4.2
3
Where the imported quantity of 1,1,1-Trichloroethane exceeds the threshold specified for hazardous substances, the owner must take out a public-liability insurance policy before import. Refer to S.O. 227(E) dated 24-03-1992 issued by MoEF for the applicable quantity thresholds and insurance requirements under the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991.
Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 · S.O. 227(E) dated 24-03-1992 · Finance Bill 2025 w.e.f. 01-05-2025

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is securing the DGFT Restricted-import licence while overlooking the independent MEFCC authorisation under the Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 — these are two separate approvals, and the absence of either results in detention and potential confiscation at the port. Importers also routinely omit the Chapter 29 mandatory qualifiers in the e-Sanchit declaration, triggering a CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus deficiency notice that halts out-of-charge even when both PGA clearances are current.

Need a regulatory steer on this product?

Speak to a regulatory counsel about your specific HSN, IS, and supplier situation.

Speak to an Expert

Frequently asked

Does HSN 2903 19 21 require BIS certification?

No, no BIS Quality Control Order covers 1,1,1-Trichloroethane. Import is governed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change under the Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, with a Restricted-import overlay administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under DGFT Notification 44/2025-26.

What are the Chapter 29 mandatory qualifiers required at the bill of entry?

CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023 mandates additional qualifiers in import declarations for all commodities under Chapters 28, 29, 32, 39 and CTH 3808, as specified in para 4.1 and 4.2, operative with effect from 15-10-2023.

When is the public-liability insurance requirement triggered for this import?

The insurance requirement under the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 applies when the imported quantity of the specified hazardous substance exceeds the thresholds prescribed in S.O. 227(E) dated 24-03-1992; importers should verify the applicable threshold before each shipment.

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