Meta phenoxy benzyl alcohol (MPBA)

Meta phenoxy benzyl alcohol, pyrethroid intermediate

CIB&RC CLEARANCE · NDPS CLEARANCE

HSN 2909 49 30 (Meta phenoxy benzyl alcohol) 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. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) regime under Chapter VII-A of the NDPS Rules, 1985 applies as a concurrent overlay, and the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29 governs all remaining imports. Mandatory Chapter 29 qualifiers under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus and Public Liability Insurance (PLI) obligations for hazardous substances also attach at the bill-of-entry stage.

What this is

HSN code

2909 49 30

Chapter

29 · Organic chemicals

Primary regulator

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

Customs documentation

Registration and permit from CIB&RC
Import certificate from NDPS
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
If the substance 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 filing the bill of entry. Import is permitted only at the places specified under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971; diversion to an unspecified port renders the consignment liable to seizure.
Insecticides Act, 1968 · Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971
2
Where the substance is classified as an NDPS substance, import for medical or scientific purposes requires an import certificate under Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 (Chapter VII-A). Imports falling outside that category are governed by Appendix-I of the ITC (HS) Schedule per ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29.
Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 · ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29
3
Include mandatory additional qualifiers in the import declaration for Chapter 29 commodities as stipulated in Paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus, effective 15 October 2023. Where import of specified hazardous substances exceeds the specified quantities, take out a Public Liability Insurance policy as required under 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 CIB&RC registration alone resolves the import: the NDPS overlay and the ITC (HS) Appendix-I controls are independent of the pesticide-registration track and attach to the substance regardless of its end-use characterisation. An importer who secures the CIB&RC permit but omits the Rule 53 NDPS import certificate — or fails to file Chapter 29 mandatory qualifiers under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus — faces detention at the bill-of-entry stage, with demurrage and ground rent accruing until all three clearances are reconciled.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 2909 49 30 require BIS certification?

No. Meta phenoxy benzyl alcohol is not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee under the Insecticides Act, 1968, with a concurrent NDPS overlay under the NDPS Rules, 1985 and DGFT ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29.

At which ports may this insecticide intermediate be imported?

Import is restricted to the places specified under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971; the active list of permitted import points must be confirmed with the CIB&RC Secretariat before the purchase order is placed.

When does the Public Liability Insurance obligation apply to this consignment?

The PLI Act, 1991 obligation is triggered when the import of a specified hazardous substance exceeds the quantities prescribed under S.O. 227(E) dated 24-03-1992 issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forests; the owner must take out the requisite insurance policy before the goods are released.

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