Tartaric acid
Tartaric acid, organic carboxylic acid with oxygen function
HSN 2918 12 00 (Tartaric acid) is subject to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) import licensing under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 where the end-use is food, and to Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC) registration and import permit under the Insecticides Act, 1968 where the substance figures in the pesticide schedule. Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Rules, 1985 Chapter VII-A controls apply where the substance meets NDPS schedule criteria, and CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus mandatory Chapter 29 qualifiers are required at the bill-of-entry stage.
- Import Licence from FSSAI
- Registration certificate from CIB&RC
- Chapter 29 qualifiers from CBIC
Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs.
- 1Determine the end-use regime before filing: if importing as a food-grade substance, obtain an FSSAI Import Licence (document code 911001) and upload the Specimen Copy of Label (0110FS) in e-Sanchit. If the substance figures in the Schedule to the Insecticides Act, 1968, obtain registration and an import permit from the CIB&RC Secretariat and note that import locations are restricted to those notified under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971.Insecticides Act, 1968; Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971; FSSAI Import Licence document code 911001
- 2Upload all mandatory documents in e-Sanchit before bill of entry out-of-charge: Certificate of Analysis — Drug (0010dc), Batch Release Certificate (0030dc), Label of Consignment (0110dc), Specimen Copy of Label (0110FS), Registration Certificate — Drugs (101dc1), FSSAI Import Licence (911001), and Import Licence for Drugs (9111dc). Additionally, include the mandatory Chapter 29 additional qualifiers in the import declaration as required under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus with effect from 15 October 2023.CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, para 4.1 and 4.2; e-Sanchit document codes 0010dc, 0030dc, 0110dc, 0110FS, 101dc1, 911001, 9111dc
- 3If the substance qualifies as an NDPS-scheduled substance, import is permitted only for medical and scientific purposes under Chapter VII-A of the NDPS Rules, 1985 after obtaining an import certificate under Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules. Imports outside this category are governed by Appendix-I to the ITC (HS) Schedule under ITC (HS) Policy Condition No. 2 to Chapter 29.Chapter VII-A and Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985; ITC (HS) Policy Condition No. 2 to Chapter 29
The most common error on this tariff line is treating tartaric acid as a single-regime import and uploading only the FSSAI licence, while overlooking the CIB&RC registration requirement when the specific lot figures in the pesticide schedule or the NDPS certificate where the substance meets schedule criteria. A consignment cleared without the applicable PGA NOC — even when other documents are current — will be detained at port pending the missing authority's out-of-charge, with demurrage and ground rent accumulating throughout. Confirm the applicable regime with your supplier's Certificate of Analysis before vessel departure.