Ethofenprox (etofenprox), fomesafen, oxyfluorfen

Aromatic ethers used as insecticides or herbicides (ethofenprox, fomesafen, oxyfluorfen)

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

HSN 2909 30 50 (Ethofenprox, fomesafen, oxyfluorfen) is subject to mandatory registration or import permit under Section 9 of the Insecticides Act, 1968 administered by the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC), with Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) conditions applying where any constituent is a listed medical device under G.S.R. 102(E). The tariff line is Free under ITC (HS) import policy per DGFT Notification 44/2025-26 dated 15-10-2025, subject to Chapter 29 policy condition 7, and mandatory Chapter 29 qualifiers under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus apply at the bill-of-entry stage.

What this is

HSN code

2909 30 50

Chapter

29 · Organic chemicals

Primary regulator

CIB&RC · Insecticides Act, 1968 and Insecticides Rules, 1971

Customs documentation

Registration certificate or import permit from CIB&RC
Chapter 29 mandatory qualifiers from CBIC
Insurance policy declaration under PLI Act, 1991

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
Obtain a Certificate of Registration or an import permit from the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee before shipment. Where fomesafen or oxyfluorfen is imported for a non-insecticidal purpose, a separate import permit is required; importation from any source not specified on the certificate or permit is prohibited 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
2
At the bill of entry, declare all mandatory additional qualifiers for Chapter 29 commodities as stipulated in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus with effect from 15 October 2023. Confirm compliance with ITC (HS) Chapter 29 policy condition 7 per DGFT Notification 44/2025-26 and Finance Bill 2025 amendments effective 01-05-2025.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023 · DGFT Notification 44/2025-26 dated 15-10-2025
3
Where the quantity of hazardous substances imported exceeds the specified threshold, the owner must take out an insurance policy under the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 before clearance. Separately, if the consignment involves any narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances covered under Chapter 29, policy conditions 2 and 3 of the ITC (HS) apply.
S.O. 227(E) dated 24-03-1992 issued by MoEFCC · ITC (HS) Chapter 29 policy conditions 2, 3 and 7

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is assuming that a single CIB&RC registration covers all three active substances — ethofenprox, fomesafen, and oxyfluorfen — and all intended end-uses. Each listed insecticide or herbicide requires its own registration or permit, and source-of-supply specificity is embedded in the certificate: a change of overseas manufacturer triggers a fresh application to CIB&RC before the revised-source consignment is shipped. Importing from an unapproved source exposes the consignment to seizure and the importer to prosecution under the Insecticides Act, 1968.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 2909 30 50 require BIS certification?

No, this tariff line is not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by mandatory registration or permit requirements under Section 9 of the Insecticides Act, 1968 administered by the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee, with CBIC Chapter 29 qualifier obligations under Circular 23/2023-Cus.

Are fomesafen and oxyfluorfen subject to restricted-port rules under the Insecticides Rules, 1971?

Yes. Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971, restricts the places at which insecticides may be imported; the CIB&RC registration certificate or import permit specifies the approved port of entry, and diversion to any other port renders the import unlawful.

What happens if the substance is imported for a non-insecticidal purpose?

A separate import permit from the Registration Committee under the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation is required even for non-insecticidal use; the permit will specify conditions including the approved import source, and importing from any other source is prohibited under the Insecticides Act, 1968.

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