Methanol (methyl alcohol)

Methanol (methyl alcohol), acyclic alcohol for industrial use

NDPS CLEARANCE

HSN 2905 11 00 (Methanol) is subject to Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) import-certificate controls under Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985, for medical and scientific purposes; all other imports are governed by Appendix I to the ITC (HS) Schedule under policy condition 2 of Chapter 29 administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). Mandatory additional qualifiers in the import declaration are required under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023 for all Chapter 29 commodities, effective 15 October 2023.

What this is

HSN code

2905 11 00

Chapter

29 · Organic chemicals

Primary regulator

NDPS · NDPS Rules, 1985 (Rule 53 import certificate) and ITC (HS) policy condition 2, Chapter 29

Customs documentation

Import certificate from NDPS
Chapter 29 qualifiers from CBIC
ITC (HS) policy declaration from DGFT

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

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
If importing methanol for medical or scientific purposes, obtain an import certificate under Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985, issued by the Central Bureau of Narcotics (cbn.nic.in) before filing the bill of entry. Imports outside this category must be assessed against Appendix I to the ITC (HS) Schedule under ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29.
Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 · ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29
2
Furnish the mandatory additional qualifiers in the import declaration as stipulated in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023. This requirement covers all commodities under Chapters 28, 29, 32, 39 and CTH 3808 and has been operative with effect from 15 October 2023; a declaration without the required qualifiers will be held at the bill-of-entry stage.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is assuming that the rescission of the Methanol (Quality Control) Order, 2019 vide S.O. 3379(E) dated 23-07-2025 eliminated all controls on import — the NDPS dual-track regime and the ITC (HS) Appendix I restriction remain fully operative. Importers outside the medical and scientific category must specifically confirm their consignment's eligibility under Appendix I before shipment; a mismatch between end-use declaration and actual use constitutes an NDPS Rules violation in addition to a Customs Act contravention.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 2905 11 00 require BIS certification?

No. The Methanol (Quality Control) Order, 2019 was rescinded by S.O. 3379(E) dated 23-07-2025 and no BIS Quality Control Order currently covers this tariff line. Import is governed by Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985, for medical and scientific purposes, with ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29 applying to all other imports.

What are the Chapter 29 mandatory qualifiers required under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus?

CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023 requires mandatory additional qualifiers as specified in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 to be included in all import declarations for Chapter 29 commodities, effective 15 October 2023; absence of these qualifiers renders the bill of entry non-compliant.

Can methanol be imported without an NDPS import certificate if it is for industrial use?

Imports outside the medical and scientific purposes category are not processed under Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985, but must instead satisfy the conditions in Appendix I to the ITC (HS) Schedule under policy condition 2 of Chapter 29; failure to satisfy those conditions renders the import unauthorised.

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