Other

Benzoic acid salts and esters, other than listed

CIB&RC CLEARANCE · NDPS CLEARANCE

HSN 2916 31 90 (benzoic acid salts and esters, residual) 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) import-certificate controls under Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 and Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29 apply as additional clearance requirements.

What this is

HSN code

2916 31 90

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
Determine whether the specific substance being imported is listed in the Schedule to the Insecticides Act, 1968. If so, obtain registration and an import permit from the Secretariat of the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee, and note that import of insecticides is restricted to specified places 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
If the substance qualifies as an NDPS substance, obtain an import certificate under Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 for medical or scientific purposes, or confirm compliance with Appendix-I of the ITC (HS) Schedule for other import categories. Upload 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 filing the bill of entry.
Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 · Chapter VII-A of the NDPS Rules, 1985 · ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29
3
Ensure the import declaration includes the mandatory additional qualifiers for Chapter 29 commodities as stipulated in Para 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, applicable with effect from 15-10-2023. Where import of specified hazardous substances exceeds prescribed quantities, take out a public liability 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 treating the CIB&RC and NDPS regimes as mutually exclusive — importers check one and assume the other does not apply. A single substance may simultaneously be listed in the Schedule to the Insecticides Act, 1968 and qualify as an NDPS substance, triggering both permit streams independently. Additionally, the Chapter 29 mandatory qualifiers under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus are a customs-declaration requirement, not a PGA obligation, and omission attracts bill-of-entry amendment penalties even when the PGA clearances are in order.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 2916 31 90 require BIS certification?

No, no BIS Quality Control Order covers benzoic acid salts and esters under this residual tariff line. Import is governed by the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee under the Insecticides Act, 1968 where the substance is scheduled, and by NDPS Rules, 1985 where the substance qualifies as a narcotic drug or psychotropic substance.

Which e-Sanchit document codes are mandatory at the bill of entry for this tariff line?

Where the NDPS or drugs overlay applies, the following must be uploaded in e-Sanchit before out-of-charge: certificate of analysis (0010dc), batch release certificate (0030dc), label of consignment (0110dc), registration certificate for drugs (101dc1), and import licence for drugs (9111dc).

Does the public liability insurance requirement apply to all imports under this HSN?

No. The insurance obligation under the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 and S.O. 227(E) dated 24-03-1992 applies only where the imported hazardous substance exceeds the specified quantities prescribed in that notification; smaller-quantity imports are not subject to the insurance requirement.

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