Ferric ammonium citrate

Ferric ammonium citrate, citric acid salts and esters

CIB&RC CLEARANCE · NDPS CLEARANCE

HSN 2918 15 50 (Ferric ammonium citrate) is subject to Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC) registration and import permit under the Insecticides Act, 1968 and Insecticides Rules, 1971 where the substance appears in the Schedule to that Act. Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) import-certificate requirements under Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 apply where the substance is classified as an NDPS, and Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29 governs the broader import framework. Mandatory Chapter 29 additional qualifiers are required in the import declaration under Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, effective 15 October 2023.

What this is

HSN code

2918 15 50

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
Verify whether the substance falls within the Schedule to the Insecticides Act, 1968. If so, obtain registration and an import permit from the Secretariat of CIB&RC, and confirm that import is routed through a port permitted under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971. Upload registration certificate (document code 101dc1) and import licence for drugs (document code 9111dc) in e-Sanchit before filing the bill of entry.
Insecticides Act, 1968 · Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971 · ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29
2
If the consignment is imported for medical or scientific purposes under the NDPS regime, obtain an import certificate under Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 via Chapter VII-A of those Rules before shipment. Upload certificate of analysis (document code 0010dc), batch release certificate (document code 0030dc), label of consignment (document code 0110dc), and registration certificate (document code 101dc1) in e-Sanchit prior to out-of-charge.
Chapter VII-A and Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 · ITC (HS) policy condition 2 to Chapter 29
3
Include the mandatory additional qualifiers in the import declaration for Chapter 29 commodities as stipulated in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, effective 15 October 2023. Where import of specified hazardous substances exceeds the 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 failing to determine, prior to shipment, whether the specific batch of ferric ammonium citrate is scheduled under the Insecticides Act, 1968 — a determination that dictates the entire CIB&RC registration-and-port-restriction regime. Importers who treat this CTI as a routine organic-chemical entry and skip the Schedule verification arrive at port without CIB&RC registration or a Rule 45-compliant port routing, resulting in consignment detention and potential confiscation. The NDPS overlay and the PLI insurance obligation for hazardous-substance quantities exceeding specified thresholds are separate compliance tracks that run concurrently with the insecticide-regime check.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 2918 15 50 require BIS certification?

No, ferric ammonium citrate 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 the substance is scheduled, with NDPS Rules, 1985 applying for medical or scientific imports and DGFT ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29 as the overarching policy framework.

Are there port restrictions on the import of substances falling under the Insecticides Act, 1968 at this CTI?

Yes. Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971 restricts the ports through which insecticides may be imported; importers must confirm the intended port of entry is on the permitted list before placing the purchase order.

What happens if the consignment does not qualify for medical or scientific purposes under NDPS Chapter VII-A?

Imports that do not qualify under Chapter VII-A for medical or scientific purposes are governed by Appendix-I to the ITC (HS) Schedule per ITC (HS) policy condition 2 to Chapter 29, which may impose additional restrictions or a Restricted-import classification requiring separate DGFT authorisation.

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