Meta nitrotoluene

Meta nitrotoluene, nitro derivatives of toluene

CIB&RC CLEARANCE · NDPS CLEARANCE

HSN 2904 20 30 (Meta nitrotoluene) is subject to Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC) registration and import permit under the Insecticides Act, 1968, where the substance figures in the Schedule to that Act, with import restricted to notified places under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971. Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Rules, 1985 controls apply concurrently under ITC (HS) policy condition 2 to Chapter 29, and mandatory Chapter 29 additional qualifiers are required in the import declaration per CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus.

What this is

HSN code

2904 20 30

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
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
Confirm whether the specific substance falls within the Schedule to the Insecticides Act, 1968. If listed, obtain registration and an import permit from the Secretariat of the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee, and ensure import is routed only through a place notified under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971.
Insecticides Act, 1968 · Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971 · ITC (HS) policy condition 2 to Chapter 29
2
Where the substance is also governed by the NDPS Rules, 1985, obtain an import certificate under Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 for imports for medical and scientific purposes under Chapter VII-A. All other imports are governed by Appendix I to the ITC (HS) Schedule under ITC (HS) policy condition 2 to Chapter 29.
Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 · ITC (HS) policy condition 2 to Chapter 29 · Appendix I to ITC (HS) Schedule
3
Include all mandatory additional qualifiers in the import declaration per CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, operative with effect from 15 October 2023 for commodities under Chapters 28, 29, 32, 39 and CTH 3808 as stipulated in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2. Additionally, where the import quantity of specified hazardous substances exceeds prescribed 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

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is assuming that because the substance is classified as a nitrotoluene derivative under Chapter 29 it falls outside the pesticide regime. Meta nitrotoluene may figure in the Schedule to the Insecticides Act, 1968, and a failure to verify Schedule inclusion before filing the bill of entry results in consignment detention at the port pending CIB&RC registration, with demurrage and ground rent accruing. Verify Schedule status with the CIB&RC Secretariat before the purchase order is placed, not after vessel arrival.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 2904 20 30 require BIS certification?

No, meta nitrotoluene is not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime; no BIS QCO covers nitrated hydrocarbon derivatives of this type. Import is governed by the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee under the Insecticides Act, 1968, with concurrent NDPS Rules, 1985 controls and the ITC (HS) policy condition 2 to Chapter 29 administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

Is import of meta nitrotoluene permitted through all ports?

No. Where the substance is listed in the Schedule to the Insecticides Act, 1968, import is restricted to places specifically notified under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971; shipment to an unnotified port renders the consignment liable to seizure.

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

The import certificate under Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 is required only when the substance is being imported for medical or scientific purposes under Chapter VII-A of the NDPS Rules; all other imports of NDPS-scheduled substances under this CTI are governed by Appendix I to the ITC (HS) Schedule.

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