Ethephon

Ethephon, organo-phosphorus plant growth regulator

DGFT CLEARANCE · CBIC CLEARANCE

HSN 2931 59 31 (Ethephon) is governed by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under DGFT Notification 44/2025-26 dated 15-10-2025, with import classified as Free subject to Policy Condition 7 of Chapter 29 and the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) notification obligation. Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023 mandates additional qualifiers in the import declaration for Chapter 29 commodities effective 15 October 2023.

What this is

HSN code

2931 59 31

Chapter

29 · Organic chemicals

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) Free import policy with Policy Condition 7, Chapter 29

Customs documentation

Policy Condition 7 declaration from DGFT
CWC notification copy to DGFT
Chapter 29 qualifiers from CBIC

Compliance steps

1
File the bill of entry with the mandatory additional qualifiers for Chapter 29 commodities as stipulated in Para 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus. Non-compliance with these qualifiers renders the declaration deficient and liable to detention pending correction.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, effective 15-10-2023
2
Verify that Ethephon is not classified as a Schedule 1 chemical under the Chemical Weapons Convention; if the consignment contains a CWC Category 1B substance, import is permitted only from State Parties to the CWC. Within 30 days of import, notify the National Authority (CWC), Cabinet Secretariat, Ministry of External Affairs (D&ISA), the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, and DGFT, and submit a copy of the bill of entry to DGFT.
DGFT Notification 44/2025-26 dated 15-10-2025 · Policy Condition 7 of Chapter 29
3
Where the import quantity of Ethephon exceeds the threshold for specified hazardous substances under the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991, ensure an insurance policy is in place as prescribed by S.O. 227(E) dated 24-03-1992 issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
S.O. 227(E) dated 24-03-1992 · Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is treating Ethephon as a straightforward free-import chemical and overlooking the post-import CWC notification obligation. The 30-day window to notify the National Authority, the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, and DGFT — and to submit the bill of entry copy — is a continuing compliance obligation that runs independently of customs clearance; a missed notification attracts DGFT-policy enforcement even after out-of-charge has been granted.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 2931 59 31 require BIS certification?

No, Ethephon falls outside the BIS Quality Control Order regime; no BIS QCO covers this organo-inorganic compound. Import is governed by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under DGFT Notification 44/2025-26 subject to Policy Condition 7 of Chapter 29, with CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus mandatory qualifier requirements at the bill of entry.

What are the Chapter 29 mandatory qualifiers required by CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus?

Para 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023 specify additional qualifiers to be mandatorily declared in import declarations for commodities under Chapters 28, 29, 32, 39 and CTH 3808, effective 15 October 2023.

Does the CWC notification obligation apply to all imports of Ethephon?

The notification obligation under Policy Condition 7 applies where the imported chemical is governed by CWC Schedule 1 provisions; for each such consignment, the importer must notify the National Authority and DGFT within 30 days of import and submit the bill of entry copy to DGFT.

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