Chlorodifluoromethane (HCFC-22)

Chlorodifluoromethane refrigerant gas (HCFC-22)

CIB&RC CLEARANCE · NDPS CLEARANCE

HSN 2903 71 00 (Chlorodifluoromethane / HCFC-22) is subject to import restrictions under the ITC (HS) policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), with import permitted only under policy conditions 1 and 4 of Chapter 29 per DGFT Notification 26/2015-20 dated 11-08-2020. Items falling within the schedule to the Insecticides Act, 1968 require registration and an import permit from the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC), and any NDPS-scheduled use triggers additional import-certificate requirements under Chapter VII-A of the NDPS Rules, 1985. Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) Circular 23/2023-Cus mandates mandatory additional qualifiers in the import declaration with effect from 15-10-2023.

What this is

HSN code

2903 71 00

Chapter

29 · Organic chemicals

Primary regulator

CIB&RC · Insecticides Act, 1968 and Insecticides Rules, 1971 (where scheduled)

Customs documentation

Registration and import permit from CIB&RC
Import certificate from NDPS authority
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 specific formulation or use of HCFC-22 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 before shipment, and note that import is restricted to notified places under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971.
Insecticides Act, 1968 · Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971 · ITC (HS) policy condition 1 and 4 of Chapter 29 · DGFT Notification 26/2015-20 dated 11-08-2020
2
If the consignment falls within NDPS-scheduled substances, obtain an import certificate under Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 for medical or scientific purposes as per Chapter VII-A. Imports outside that category are governed by Appendix-I to the ITC (HS) Schedule under policy condition 2 of Chapter 29.
Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 · ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29
3
File the bill of entry with mandatory additional qualifiers for Chapter 29 commodities as required by CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus, operative from 15-10-2023. Additionally, where import quantities of specified hazardous substances exceed prescribed thresholds, the owner must hold an insurance policy under the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 per S.O. 227(E) dated 24-03-1992.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023 · S.O. 227(E) dated 24-03-1992

A word of counsel

The dual-trigger risk on this tariff line is underestimated: importers frequently treat HCFC-22 as a straightforward refrigerant and overlook that the same substance may simultaneously engage the Insecticides Act, 1968 schedule — requiring CIB&RC registration and a port-restricted import permit — and the NDPS-overlay under policy condition 2. A consignment that clears DGFT policy conditions 1 and 4 but lacks the CIB&RC permit where required will be detained at the port of import; retroactive permit procurement does not cure the Insecticides Rules, 1971 contravention already constituted at filing.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 2903 71 00 require BIS certification?

No, chlorodifluoromethane (HCFC-22) is not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by DGFT ITC (HS) policy conditions 1 and 4 of Chapter 29, with CIB&RC registration and permit requirements where the substance falls within the schedule to the Insecticides Act, 1968.

Are imports of HCFC-22 restricted to specific ports?

Yes, where the substance falls within the schedule to the Insecticides Act, 1968, import is restricted to notified places per Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971; importers must confirm the designated import points with the CIB&RC Secretariat before shipment.

When does the NDPS import-certificate requirement apply to this tariff line?

The NDPS import certificate under Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 is required when the substance or its use falls within the NDPS schedule; imports outside the medical and scientific purposes category are governed by Appendix-I to the ITC (HS) Schedule under policy condition 2 of Chapter 29.

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