Potassium bitartrate

Potassium bitartrate, tartaric acid salt

CIB&RC CLEARANCE · NDPS CLEARANCE

HSN 2918 13 10 (Potassium bitartrate) is subject to Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC) registration and import permit under the Insecticides Act, 1968, where the substance falls within the Schedule to that Act. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) framework under Chapter VII-A of the NDPS Rules, 1985 applies where the substance is classified as an NDPS, and the ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) governs imports outside the medical and scientific-purpose channel.

What this is

HSN code

2918 13 10

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
If the consignment falls within 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 filing the bill of entry. Note that import of insecticides is restricted to places notified under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971 — verify the port of import against the permitted list before vessel departure.
Insecticides Act, 1968 · Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971
2
Where the substance is classified under the NDPS framework, import for medical or scientific purposes requires an import certificate under Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 obtained via the Central Bureau of Narcotics (cbn.nic.in). Imports outside that category are governed by Appendix-I to the ITC (HS) Schedule, as per ITC (HS) policy condition no. 2 to Chapter 29.
Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 · ITC (HS) policy condition no. 2 to Chapter 29
3
Comply with CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023 by including mandatory additional qualifiers in the import declaration for Chapter 29 commodities, as stipulated in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2, effective 15 October 2023. Additionally, where the import of specified hazardous substances exceeds notified quantities, obtain a public liability insurance policy under the provisions of 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 potassium bitartrate — principally a food-grade tartrate salt — falls outside the Insecticides Act, 1968 Schedule and bypassing CIB&RC registration entirely. If the consignment is formulated or labelled for pesticidal use, or if CBIC's system flags the CTI against the Schedule, the absence of CIB&RC registration results in consignment detention at the port of import and potential confiscation under the Insecticides Act. Verify Schedule applicability with the CIB&RC Secretariat before shipment, not at the bill-of-entry stage.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 2918 13 10 require BIS certification?

No. No BIS Quality Control Order covers potassium bitartrate or tartaric acid salts under this tariff line. Import is governed by the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee under the Insecticides Act, 1968, with an NDPS overlay under Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 and the ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy administered by DGFT where applicable.

Are there port restrictions for importing insecticide-scheduled substances under this CTI?

Yes. Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971 restricts the places at which insecticides may be imported; the importer must confirm the nominated port of entry is on the permitted list before placing the purchase order.

What is the consequence of importing a potassium bitartrate consignment that qualifies as a hazardous substance in excess of the notified threshold quantity without insurance?

The owner is required to hold a public liability insurance policy under the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 per S.O. 227(E) dated 24-03-1992; non-compliance constitutes a contravention of the Act and exposes the importer to monetary penalty and potential detention of the consignment.

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