Methyl benzoate

Methyl benzoate, benzoic acid esters

CIB&RC CLEARANCE · NDPS CLEARANCE

HSN 2916 31 30 (Methyl benzoate) 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. Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Rules, 1985 controls apply concurrently under ITC (HS) policy condition 2 to Chapter 29, and CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus mandates additional Chapter 29 qualifiers in the import declaration with effect from 15 October 2023.

What this is

HSN code

2916 31 30

Chapter

29 · Organic chemicals

Primary regulator

CIB&RC · Insecticides Act, 1968; 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 methyl benzoate is scheduled under the Insecticides Act, 1968, obtain registration and an import permit from the Secretariat of the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee before shipment. Import is additionally restricted to ports notified under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971; verify the permitted port list before placing the purchase order.
Insecticides Act, 1968 · Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971 · ITC (HS) policy condition 2 to Chapter 29
2
If the substance is an NDPS-scheduled item imported for medical or scientific purposes, obtain an import certificate under Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 before filing the bill of entry. Imports outside the medical/scientific category are governed by Appendix-I to the ITC (HS) Schedule.
Chapter VII-A and Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 · ITC (HS) policy condition 2 to Chapter 29
3
File the bill of entry with the mandatory additional qualifiers for Chapter 29 commodities as stipulated in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus, effective 15 October 2023. Upload all mandatory documents — certificate of analysis (0010dc), batch release certificate (0030dc), label of consignment (0110dc), registration certificate for drugs (101dc1), and import licence for drugs (9111dc) — in e-Sanchit before out-of-charge.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is importing methyl benzoate without first confirming whether the specific formulation or purity grade is scheduled under the Insecticides Act, 1968 or the NDPS Rules, 1985 — both regimes may apply simultaneously to the same physical consignment. A consignment routed to an unnotified port under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971 is liable to seizure even when the CIB&RC permit is current. Additionally, where the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 threshold is met, the importer must arrange an insurance policy per S.O. 227(E) dated 24-03-1992 before any hazardous-substance import exceeding the specified quantity.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 2916 31 30 require BIS certification?

No. No BIS Quality Control Order covers methyl benzoate or benzoic acid esters. Import is governed by the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee under the Insecticides Act, 1968, with a concurrent NDPS Rules, 1985 overlay and DGFT ITC (HS) policy condition 2 to Chapter 29 where applicable.

Which document codes must be uploaded in e-Sanchit at the bill of entry for this tariff line?

Per CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus, the mandatory documents are certificate of analysis (0010dc), batch release certificate (0030dc), label of consignment (0110dc), registration certificate for drugs (101dc1), and import licence for drugs (9111dc), all to be uploaded before customs out-of-charge.

Does the NDPS import certificate requirement apply to all imports of methyl benzoate?

Only where the substance is NDPS-scheduled: medical and scientific purpose imports require an import certificate under Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985, while other imports are governed by Appendix-I to the ITC (HS) Schedule under policy condition 2 to Chapter 29.

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