Propionic acid, its salts and esters

CIB&RC CLEARANCE · NDPS CLEARANCE

HSN 2915 50 00 (Propionic acid, its salts and esters) is subject to Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC) registration and import permit under the Insecticides Act, 1968, where the product figures in the Schedule to that Act. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) import-certificate regime under Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 applies to any scheduled NDPS substances within this tariff line, and Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29 governs residual import controls.

What this is

HSN code

2915 50 00

Chapter

29 · Organic chemicals

Primary regulator

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

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
Where the product 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 shipment. Note that importation of insecticides is restricted to places notified 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 classified under the NDPS schedule, obtain an import certificate under Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 for imports permissible for medical and scientific purposes under Chapter VII-A of the NDPS Rules. Ensure the mandatory documents — registration certificate for drugs (document code 101dc1) and import licence for drugs (document code 9111dc) — are uploaded in e-Sanchit before out-of-charge.
Chapter VII-A and Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 · ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29
3
Comply with CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023 by including the mandatory additional qualifiers in the import declaration for Chapter 29 commodities, with effect from 15 October 2023 as stipulated in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of that circular. Where import of specified hazardous substances exceeds 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 failing to assess at the pre-import stage which of the two concurrent regimes — CIB&RC under the Insecticides Act, 1968 or NDPS under the NDPS Rules, 1985 — applies to the specific formulation or salt being imported. Both regimes can apply simultaneously to a single consignment, and an import permit from CIB&RC does not substitute for an NDPS import certificate where the substance is also scheduled under the NDPS rules; a consignment cleared under only one regime is liable to detention and seizure under the other.

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 2915 50 00 require BIS certification?

No, propionic acid, its salts and esters are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee under the Insecticides Act, 1968 where scheduled as a pesticide, and by the NDPS Rules, 1985 where the substance is an NDPS-scheduled compound, with DGFT ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29 as the overarching trade-policy overlay.

Are there port restrictions on importing insecticides under this tariff line?

Yes. Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971 restricts importation of insecticides to specified places; the importer must confirm the port of entry is a notified location before filing the bill of entry, as diversion to an unnotified port renders the consignment liable to seizure.

What happens if an NDPS-scheduled substance under this CTI is imported without a Rule 53 import certificate?

Import without the requisite certificate under Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 constitutes an unlawful import of a narcotic or psychotropic substance, exposing the importer to confiscation of the goods, monetary penalty, and criminal prosecution under the NDPS Act.

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