Hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs)

Hexabromocyclododecanes, halogenated hydrocarbon flame retardants

CDSCO CLEARANCE · CIB&RC CLEARANCE · +3 OTHER PGAS

HSN 2903 89 10 (Hexabromocyclododecanes, HBCDs) is subject to Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MEFCC) controls under the Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, with compliance required under policy conditions 1, 4 and 5 of Chapter 29 and General Note 8(a) of the ITC (HS) import policy. Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC) registration or import permit is mandatory where the substance is imported for insecticidal use under the Insecticides Act, 1968, and Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) registration applies where the product is classified as a medical device under G.S.R. 102(E) dated 11-02-2020. DGFT Notification 44/2025-26 dated 15-10-2025 confirms the current ITC (HS) import policy status as Free, 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 89 10

Chapter

29 · Organic chemicals

Primary regulator

MEFCC · Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000; CIB&RC · Insecticides Act, 1968 / Insecticides Rules, 1971

Customs documentation

ODS compliance certificate from MEFCC
Registration certificate or import permit from CIB&RC
Chapter 29 qualifiers from CBIC

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

CDSCOCDSCO·Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation

CIB&RCCIB&RC·Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee

MOHFWMOHFW·Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

MEFCCMEFCC·Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

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
Ensure compliance with policy conditions 1, 4 and 5 of Chapter 29 and General Note 8(a) of the ITC (HS) import policy governing ozone depleting substances, with reference to the Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 as amended. Consignments of HBCDs that fall within the ODS schedule require prior MEFCC clearance before filing the bill of entry.
Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 · ITC (HS) policy conditions 1, 4 and 5 of Chapter 29 · General Note 8(a)
2
Where the HBCD consignment is intended for use as an insecticide, rodenticide, fungicide, or herbicide, obtain CIB&RC registration under Section 9 of the Insecticides Act, 1968 before import. For non-insecticidal use, obtain an import permit from the CIB&RC Registration Committee; import is restricted to the source and port specified on the certificate or permit under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971.
Section 9 of the Insecticides Act, 1968 · Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971 · CBIC Circulars 35/2011 dated 09-08-2011 and 7/2014 dated 07-03-2014
3
File mandatory Chapter 29 additional qualifiers in the import declaration at the bill of entry stage as stipulated in para 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus, operative from 15 October 2023. Where the quantity of the hazardous substance 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 · DGFT Notification 44/2025-26 dated 15-10-2025

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is treating the Free ITC (HS) status — confirmed under DGFT Notification 44/2025-26 — as exempting the consignment from all overlay controls. HBCDs simultaneously attract the ODS Rules, the Insecticides Act registration or permit regime, the Chapter 29 mandatory-qualifiers requirement, and — for quantities exceeding prescribed thresholds — the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 insurance obligation; each layer is independently enforced, and absence of any one document is grounds for consignment detention and ground rent liability at port.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 2903 89 10 require BIS certification?

No, hexabromocyclododecanes are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change under the Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, with CIB&RC registration or permit required for insecticidal applications and CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus mandating Chapter 29 qualifiers in the import declaration.

Is CIB&RC registration required even when HBCDs are imported for non-insecticidal industrial use?

Yes. Where the substance is not imported for insecticidal use, an import permit from the CIB&RC Registration Committee under the Insecticides Act, 1968 remains mandatory, and import is restricted to the source and port specified on that permit per Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971.

When does the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 obligation arise for this tariff line?

The obligation arises when the quantity of hazardous substance imported exceeds the thresholds specified in S.O. 227(E) dated 24-03-1992 issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; the owner must take out an insurance policy before the consignment is released from customs.

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