Methyl bromide (bromomethane)

Methyl bromide (bromomethane), halogenated hydrocarbon fumigant

DGFT CLEARANCE · CBIC CLEARANCE

HSN 2903 61 00 (Methyl bromide / bromomethane) is subject to a Restricted-import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under ITC (HS) policy conditions 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of Chapter 38, as notified by DGFT Notification 26/2015-20 dated 11-08-2020. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) mandates additional Chapter 29 qualifiers in the import declaration under CBIC Circular 23/2023-CUS, and import of insecticide formulations is subject to port-of-import restrictions under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971.

What this is

HSN code

2903 61 00

Chapter

29 · Organic chemicals

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) Restricted import policy, Chapter 38 conditions 1-5

Customs documentation

Import licence from DGFT
Chapter 29 qualifiers from CBIC
ITC (HS) policy compliance declaration

Compliance steps

1
Obtain authorisation satisfying ITC (HS) policy conditions 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of Chapter 38 before filing the bill of entry. Methyl bromide is Restricted under the ITC (HS) import policy; consignments lacking a valid DGFT import authorisation are liable to detention and re-export.
DGFT Notification 26/2015-20 dated 11-08-2020 · ITC (HS) policy conditions 1-5 of Chapter 38
2
Include all mandatory additional qualifiers in the import declaration for Chapter 29 commodities as stipulated in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-CUS, with effect from 15-10-2023. Missing or incomplete qualifiers at the bill-of-entry stage will result in assessment failure and consignment hold.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-CUS dated 30-09-2023, paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2
3
Where the import involves insecticide formulations of methyl bromide, verify that the port of import is one of the places at which insecticides may be imported under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971. For import of formulations specifically, ensure compliance with the procedure set out in Circular 07/2014-CUS dated 07-03-2014.
Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971 · CBIC Circular 07/2014-CUS dated 07-03-2014

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is classifying methyl bromide under Chapter 29 (organic chemical) for ITC purposes and overlooking that the Restricted-import policy conditions — numbers 1 through 5 — sit in Chapter 38, not Chapter 29. An importer who secures a general import authorisation without reference to the Chapter 38 conditions arrives at the bill-of-entry stage without a valid basis for clearance; the distinction between the chemical's tariff chapter (29) and the policy chapter (38) routinely causes document-set mismatches that trigger consignment detention.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 2903 61 00 require BIS certification?

No, methyl bromide is not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under policy conditions 1 to 5 of Chapter 38, as notified by DGFT Notification 26/2015-20.

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

CBIC Circular 23/2023-CUS dated 30-09-2023 mandates additional qualifiers in import declarations for commodities under Chapters 28, 29, 32, 39 and CTH 3808, as specified in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2, effective 15-10-2023; the precise qualifier fields are enumerated in those paragraphs.

Does the port-of-import restriction under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971 apply to pure methyl bromide or only to formulations?

The CCR indicates the port restriction under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971 applies to insecticide imports, and the formulation-specific procedure under CBIC Circular 07/2014-CUS applies where the goods are formulations; importers of pure bromomethane should confirm the applicable scope with the relevant authority before shipment.

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