3,3- Dimethylbutan-2-ol (pinacolyl alcohol)

Pinacolyl alcohol, a Category 1B chemical weapons precursor

DGFT CLEARANCE · CBIC CLEARANCE

HSN 2905 19 10 (3,3-Dimethylbutan-2-ol / pinacolyl alcohol) is a Category 1B chemical under Appendix II to Schedule I of the ITC (HS) Import Policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT); import is permitted only from State Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention. Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) mandatory additional qualifiers under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus apply at the bill-of-entry stage, and the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 applies where hazardous quantities are exceeded.

What this is

HSN code

2905 19 10

Chapter

29 · Organic chemicals

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) Import Policy, Appendix II to Schedule I — Category 1B Chemical Weapons Convention precursor

Customs documentation

Import notification to NACWC from DGFT
Bill of entry copy for DGFT submission
Chapter 29 qualifiers from CBIC

Compliance steps

1
Confirm the country of export is a State Party to the Chemical Weapons Convention before placing the purchase order. Import of pinacolyl alcohol from any non-State Party is prohibited under Appendix II to Schedule I of the ITC (HS) Import Policy; a consignment originating from a non-State Party will be refused clearance and is liable to confiscation.
Appendix II to Schedule I of the ITC (HS) Import Policy — Category 1B chemical
2
Within 30 days of import, notify the details of each consignment to: the National Authority Chemical Weapons Convention (NACWC), Cabinet Secretariat, Ministry of External Affairs (D&ISA); the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals; and DGFT. Submit a copy of the bill of entry to DGFT within the same 30-day window.
Appendix II to Schedule I of the ITC (HS) Import Policy — Category 1B post-import notification obligation
3
File mandatory additional qualifiers in the import declaration for Chapter 29 commodities as stipulated in Para 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus, effective 15 October 2023. Where the imported quantity of this hazardous substance exceeds the specified threshold, take out 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 (MoEF)

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is treating the Chemical Weapons Convention origin restriction as a documentation formality rather than a substantive prohibition. An importer who clears a consignment without verifying State Party status — relying solely on supplier declarations — remains personally liable for the illegal import; the post-clearance 30-day notification to NACWC, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, and DGFT is a separate, independent obligation that is not satisfied by customs out-of-charge alone.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 2905 19 10 require BIS certification?

No. Pinacolyl alcohol is not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by DGFT's ITC (HS) Import Policy as a Category 1B Chemical Weapons Convention precursor, with CBIC mandatory additional qualifier requirements at the bill of entry under Circular 23/2023-Cus.

What are the mandatory post-import notifications for pinacolyl alcohol and what is the deadline?

Within 30 days of each import, the importer must notify consignment details to NACWC (Cabinet Secretariat/MEA D&ISA), the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, and DGFT, and must submit a copy of the bill of entry to DGFT within that same 30-day period.

Does the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 apply to every consignment of pinacolyl alcohol?

No — the insurance obligation under the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 (per S.O. 227(E) dated 24-03-1992) is triggered only when the imported quantity of the hazardous substance exceeds the specified threshold quantities prescribed by the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

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