1,2,3,4,5,6-Hexachlorocyclohexane [HCH (ISO)], including lindane (ISO, INN)

Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), including lindane isomers

CIB&RC CLEARANCE · NDPS CLEARANCE

HSN 2903 81 00 (HCH including lindane) is subject to Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC) registration and import permit under the Insecticides Act, 1968 and the Insecticides Rules, 1971. Where the substance also qualifies as a narcotic drug or psychotropic substance, an import certificate under Rule 53 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Rules, 1985 is required concurrently. Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) policy conditions under Chapter 29 of the ITC (HS) and mandatory Chapter 29 qualifiers per CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus apply as additional customs-clearance overlays.

What this is

HSN code

2903 81 00

Chapter

29 · Organic chemicals

Primary regulator

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

Customs documentation

Registration certificate from CIB&RC
Import permit from CIB&RC
Import certificate from NDPS authority

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
Obtain registration and an import permit from the secretariat of the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee before shipment. Import of insecticides scheduled under the Insecticides Act, 1968 is restricted to places specified under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971; consignments routed to non-permitted ports are liable to detention and seizure.
Insecticides Act, 1968 · Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971 · ITC (HS) policy, Chapter 29
2
If the consignment falls within the NDPS schedule, obtain an import certificate under Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 through the Central Bureau of Narcotics (cbn.nic.in) for medical or scientific purposes. Imports outside the medical and scientific category are governed by Appendix-I to the ITC (HS) Schedule, per ITC (HS) policy condition 2 to Chapter 29.
Chapter VII-A and Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 · ITC (HS) policy condition 2, Chapter 29
3
Ensure mandatory additional qualifiers for Chapter 29 commodities are declared in the import entry in compliance with CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2, with effect from 15 October 2023. Where the imported quantity of hazardous substances exceeds specified thresholds, take out a Public Liability 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, Ministry of Environment and Forests · Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991

A word of counsel

The most overlooked trap on this tariff line is the dual-regime liability: a consignment may simultaneously require a CIB&RC import permit under the Insecticides Act, 1968 and an NDPS import certificate under Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985. Treating these as alternative rather than concurrent obligations leads to out-of-charge refusal at the port even when one clearance is in hand. The NDPS import certificate must be obtained before vessel departure; retrospective application is not accepted.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 2903 81 00 require BIS certification?

No. No BIS Quality Control Order covers hexachlorocyclohexane or lindane. Import is governed by the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee under the Insecticides Act, 1968, with a concurrent NDPS import-certificate requirement where the substance is scheduled under the NDPS Rules, 1985.

Are the ports for importing insecticides under this HSN unrestricted?

No. Places at which insecticides may be imported are restricted under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971; importers must verify the permitted-port list with CIB&RC before placing the purchase order.

When does the Public Liability Insurance requirement apply to this consignment?

The obligation to take out a Public Liability Insurance policy under the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 is triggered when the imported quantity of specified hazardous substances exceeds the quantities 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.