Cresylic acid

Cresylic acid, cresols and their salts

CIB&RC CLEARANCE · NDPS CLEARANCE

HSN 2907 12 20 (Cresylic acid) 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 port-of-import restrictions under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) regime applies as a concurrent overlay for scheduled substances, and ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29 administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) governs the import policy framework. CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus mandates additional Chapter 29 qualifiers in import declarations with effect from 15 October 2023.

What this is

HSN code

2907 12 20

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

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
Where cresylic acid figures in the Schedule to the Insecticides Act, 1968, obtain registration and an import permit from the Secretariat of the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee before shipment. Upload the registration certificate (document code 101dc1) and import licence for drugs (document code 9111dc) in e-Sanchit before filing the bill of entry.
Insecticides Act, 1968 · Insecticides Rules, 1971 · document codes 101dc1 and 9111dc
2
Route the consignment only through ports at which insecticides may lawfully be imported under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971. If the substance also falls within the NDPS scheduled-substances list, obtain an import certificate under Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 for medical or scientific purposes, or confirm compliance with Appendix-I of the ITC (HS) Schedule under policy condition 2 of Chapter 29.
Rule 45, Insecticides Rules, 1971 · Rule 53, NDPS Rules, 1985 · ITC (HS) policy condition 2, Chapter 29
3
Include mandatory additional qualifiers in the import declaration as required under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2, which apply to all commodities under Chapter 29 with effect from 15 October 2023. Where import quantities of specified hazardous substances exceed prescribed thresholds, take out a Public Liability Insurance policy under S.O. 227(E) dated 24-03-1992.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, paras 4.1 and 4.2 · S.O. 227(E) dated 24-03-1992

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is assuming that a CIB&RC registration alone clears the consignment — importers routinely overlook that the NDPS overlay and the ITC (HS) Appendix-I condition operate independently, and that the Chapter 29 mandatory qualifiers under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus are a separate customs-declaration obligation. A bill of entry filed without the correct qualifiers after 15 October 2023 is liable to detention regardless of the PGA clearance status, and a missing NDPS import certificate for a scheduled substance constitutes a distinct statutory violation under the NDPS Act, 1985.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 2907 12 20 require BIS certification?

No, cresylic acid is not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee registration and permit under the Insecticides Act, 1968, with concurrent NDPS and ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29 overlays administered by DGFT.

Which ports are permitted for import of insecticides under this tariff line?

Import of insecticides is restricted to notified ports per Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971; the current list should be confirmed with the CIB&RC Secretariat before vessel departure, as shipment to an unpermitted port renders the consignment liable to detention.

When does the NDPS import certificate requirement apply to cresylic acid?

The NDPS import certificate under Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 is required where cresylic acid or a constituent falls within the NDPS scheduled-substances list; imports for purposes other than medical or scientific use are governed by Appendix-I of the ITC (HS) Schedule under policy condition 2 of Chapter 29.

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