Mesotrione, metrafenone
Mesotrione and metrafenone agrochemical ketone compounds
HSN 2914 39 50 (Mesotrione, metrafenone) is subject to mandatory registration or import permit under Section 9 of the Insecticides Act, administered by the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC), for any importation where the substance is intended for use as a herbicide or fungicide. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) registration applies where the substance meets the definition of a medical device under G.S.R. 102(E) dated 11-02-2020, and the import is otherwise free under DGFT Notification 44/2025-26 subject to policy condition 7 of Chapter 29.
- Registration certificate or import permit from CIB&RC
- Chapter 29 mandatory qualifiers from CBIC
- CDSCO registration from CDSCO
Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs.
- 1Obtain a certificate of registration or an import permit from the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee before shipment. Where mesotrione or metrafenone is imported for a non-insecticidal purpose, a separate permit is required; the source of import must match the source specified on the certificate or permit exactly, as importation from an unspecified source is prohibited under the Insecticides Act.Section 9 of the Insecticides Act · Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971 · CBIC Circulars 35/2011 dated 09-08-2011 and 7/2014 dated 07-03-2014
- 2Ensure the bill of entry includes all mandatory additional qualifiers for Chapter 29 commodities as required by CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2, with effect from 15-10-2023. Non-inclusion of the stipulated qualifiers renders the declaration deficient and may attract examination or detention.CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023 · DGFT Notification 44/2025-26 dated 15-10-2025 · Policy condition 7 of Chapter 29
- 3Where the consignment constitutes a specified hazardous substance exceeding the quantities prescribed under S.O. 227(E) dated 24-03-1992, the importer must take out a Public Liability Insurance policy under the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 before customs out-of-charge. Additionally, confirm that ozone-depleting-substance compliance under policy conditions 1, 4 and 5 of Chapter 29 and the Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 is met if applicable.S.O. 227(E) dated 24-03-1992 · Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 · Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 · General Notes para 8(a)
The most common error on this tariff line is conflating the CIB&RC registration (which governs insecticidal-use imports) with the CDSCO medical-device pathway, and filing under the wrong PGA regime at the bill of entry. Mesotrione and metrafenone are ketone-based agrochemicals that may fall under both regimes depending on end-use, and a consignment cleared under the CDSCO medical-device registration — but actually destined for herbicide use — constitutes an Insecticides Act violation, exposing the importer to seizure and prosecution independent of any customs clearance already granted.