Hexoic acid (caproic acid)

Hexoic acid (caproic acid), saturated monocarboxylic acid

CIB&RC CLEARANCE · NDPS CLEARANCE

HSN 2915 90 91 (Hexoic acid / caproic acid) 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; import of insecticides is restricted to notified places under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971. Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) controls 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 additional clearance requirements.

What this is

HSN code

2915 90 91

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
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 the consignment is a substance figuring 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. Route the consignment exclusively through the places notified under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971; diversion to an unnotified port or inland container depot renders the consignment liable to seizure.
Insecticides Act, 1968 · Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971 · ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29
2
If the substance falls within the NDPS ambit, obtain an import certificate under Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 before filing the bill of entry. Imports for medical and scientific purposes proceed under the special provisions of Chapter VII-A of the NDPS Rules, 1985; all other imports are governed by Appendix-I to the ITC (HS) Schedule.
Chapter VII-A and Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 · Appendix-I to ITC (HS) Schedule · 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 as stipulated in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2, effective 15 October 2023. Where the import of 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 assuming that hexoic acid does not engage either the CIB&RC or NDPS regime because it is a common industrial fatty acid. Both regimes are triggered by the substance's presence in the respective Schedule or Appendix — not by end-use intent declared at import — and the burden to verify schedule-listing lies with the importer before the bill of entry is filed. An import permit from CIB&RC and an NDPS import certificate are independent instruments; holding one does not satisfy the other, and a missing certificate results in consignment detention and potential criminal liability under the relevant Act.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 2915 90 91 require BIS certification?

No, hexoic acid (caproic acid) 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 where schedule-listed, and by NDPS controls under the NDPS Rules, 1985, with the DGFT ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29 as the overarching policy overlay.

Are the places of import restricted for this tariff line?

Yes. Where the substance qualifies as an insecticide under the Insecticides Act, 1968, import is restricted to places notified under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971; the current notified-places list should be confirmed with the CIB&RC Secretariat before routing the consignment.

When does the Public Liability Insurance requirement apply to imports of hexoic acid?

The insurance obligation under the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 is triggered when the import quantity of specified hazardous substances exceeds the thresholds prescribed in S.O. 227(E) dated 24-03-1992 issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forests; importers must verify whether their consignment volume crosses the specified threshold.

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