4-methoxy phenol (mono methyl ether of hydroquinone)

4-methoxy phenol, mono methyl ether of hydroquinone

CIB&RC CLEARANCE · NDPS CLEARANCE

HSN 2909 50 40 (4-methoxy phenol) is subject to dual primary regulation: the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC) requires registration and an import permit under the Insecticides Act, 1968 where the substance figures in the Schedule to that Act, and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) regime imposes import-certificate conditions under Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 for medical and scientific use. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29 and Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023 apply as additional clearance requirements.

What this is

HSN code

2909 50 40

Chapter

29 · Organic chemicals

Primary regulator

CIB&RC · Insecticides Act, 1968 and Insecticides Rules, 1971; NDPS · NDPS Rules, 1985

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
Determine whether the consignment falls within the Schedule to the Insecticides Act, 1968. If so, obtain registration and an import permit from the Secretariat of the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee, and note that the ports at which insecticides may be imported are restricted under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971.
Insecticides Act, 1968 · Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971 · ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29
2
Where the substance is imported for medical or scientific purposes under the NDPS regime, obtain an import certificate under Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 via the Central Bureau of Narcotics (cbn.nic.in). Upload the mandatory e-Sanchit documents — certificate of analysis (0010dc), batch release certificate (0030dc), label of consignment (0110dc), registration certificate for drugs (101dc1), and import licence for drugs (9111dc) — before out-of-charge.
Chapter VII-A of the NDPS Rules, 1985 · Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 · ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29
3
Ensure mandatory additional qualifiers are included in the import declaration for Chapter 29 commodities as stipulated in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, with effect from 15-10-2023. Where import of specified hazardous substances exceeds the specified quantities, 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

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is treating the CIB&RC and NDPS tracks as mutually exclusive and obtaining clearance under only one. The substance may simultaneously engage the Insecticides Act, 1968 schedule (requiring CIB&RC registration and a port-restricted import permit) and the NDPS Rules, 1985 import-certificate requirement, and the CBIC Chapter 29 mandatory qualifiers under Circular 23/2023-Cus apply independently of both — a bill of entry missing any one of these three layers will be held at the port of import pending rectification, attracting detention and demurrage.

Need a regulatory steer on this product?

Speak to a regulatory counsel about your specific HSN, IS, and supplier situation.

Speak to an Expert

Frequently asked

Does HSN 2909 50 40 require BIS certification?

No, no BIS Quality Control Order covers ether-phenol compounds such as 4-methoxy phenol. Import is governed by the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee under the Insecticides Act, 1968 and, where applicable, by the NDPS Rules, 1985 import-certificate regime administered by the Central Bureau of Narcotics.

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

Import of substances falling within the Schedule to the Insecticides Act, 1968 is restricted to the ports notified under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971; the current list should be verified with the CIB&RC Secretariat before the purchase order is placed.

Does the NDPS import-certificate requirement apply to all consignments of this substance or only to specific uses?

The Rule 53 import certificate applies to imports for medical and scientific purposes under Chapter VII-A of the NDPS Rules, 1985; imports outside that category are governed by Appendix-I to the ITC (HS) Schedule under ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29.

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