Methanal (formaldehyde)

Methanal (formaldehyde), acyclic aldehyde without other oxygen function

CIB&RC CLEARANCE · NDPS CLEARANCE

HSN 2912 11 00 (Methanal / formaldehyde) is subject to Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC) registration and import permit under the Insecticides Act, 1968, and Rules 1971, 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 and the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29 apply as concurrent overlays, alongside mandatory Chapter 29 qualifiers under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus.

What this is

HSN code

2912 11 00

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 authority
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
Where formaldehyde 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. Note that import is restricted to ports specified under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971; consignments arriving at unspecified ports are liable to seizure.
Insecticides Act, 1968 · Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971 · ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29
2
If the consignment falls within the NDPS regime, import is permitted only for medical and scientific purposes under Chapter VII-A of the NDPS Rules, 1985 with an import certificate obtained under Rule 53; all other imports are governed by Appendix-I to the ITC (HS) Schedule. Confirm applicable category before shipment.
Chapter VII-A and Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 · ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29
3
Ensure all import declarations for Chapter 29 commodities carry the mandatory additional qualifiers stipulated in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus, effective 15 October 2023. Non-compliant bills of entry are liable to detention pending re-filing.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is treating formaldehyde as a standard organic chemical and overlooking the dual CIB&RC and NDPS overlay: even where the insecticide-schedule applicability is uncertain, importers must verify Schedule status with CIB&RC before shipment because a post-arrival determination that the substance is a scheduled insecticide renders the consignment subject to seizure under the Insecticides Act, 1968. Additionally, the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 insurance obligation triggered by import of specified hazardous substances above threshold quantities — per S.O. 227(E) dated 24-03-1992 — is frequently missed and constitutes a separate statutory exposure.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 2912 11 00 require BIS certification?

No, methanal (formaldehyde) 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 concurrent NDPS Rules, 1985 and DGFT ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29 overlays.

Which ports are notified for import of scheduled insecticides under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971?

Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971 restricts import to specified places; the current list should be confirmed with the CIB&RC Secretariat before placing the purchase order, as arrival at an unspecified port triggers enforcement action.

When does the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 obligation apply to imports of formaldehyde?

The obligation arises where the imported quantity of the specified hazardous substance exceeds the threshold quantities prescribed under S.O. 227(E) dated 24-03-1992 issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forests; the owner must obtain the requisite insurance policy before the consignment is cleared.

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