Fentanyl (INN) and its salt

Fentanyl and its salts, scheduled narcotic compound

CIB&RC CLEARANCE

HSN 2933 33 21 (Fentanyl (INN) and its salt) requires a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Narcotics Commissioner, Gwalior, before import, and — where the substance figures in the Schedule to the Insecticides Act, 1968 — registration and an import permit from the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC) under the Insecticides Rules, 1971. Import is Free under ITC (HS) policy but subject to mandatory post-import notification to the National Authority, Chemical Weapons Convention, Cabinet Secretariat within 30 days, per Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) Notification 54/2015-20 dated 09-02-2022.

What this is

HSN code

2933 33 21

Chapter

29 · Organic chemicals

Primary regulator

CIB&RC · Insecticides Act, 1968 and Insecticides Rules, 1971

Customs documentation

NOC from Narcotics Commissioner Gwalior
Import permit from CIB&RC
Chapter 29 qualifiers from CBIC

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

CIB&RCCIB&RC·Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee

Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs.

Compliance steps

1
Obtain a No Objection Certificate from the Narcotics Commissioner, Gwalior, before the consignment is shipped. Where fentanyl or its salts figure in the Schedule to the Insecticides Act, 1968, obtain CIB&RC registration and an import permit, and import only through ports restricted under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971.
DGFT Notification 54/2015-20 dated 09-02-2022 · Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971 · Insecticides Act, 1968
2
Within 30 days of import, notify consignment details to the National Authority, Chemical Weapons Convention, Cabinet Secretariat; Ministry of External Affairs (DANDISA); Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals; and DGFT, and submit a copy of the bill of entry to DGFT. This post-import notification is mandatory for every consignment regardless of quantity.
ITC (HS) policy condition 3 of Chapter 29 · DGFT Notification 54/2015-20 dated 09-02-2022
3
Ensure the bill of entry includes all 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, with effect from 15-10-2023. Where the imported quantity of specified hazardous substances exceeds prescribed thresholds, take out a public liability insurance policy under the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023 · S.O. 227(E) dated 24-03-1992, Ministry of Environment and Forests

A word of counsel

The dual-track trap on this tariff line is the overlap between the pre-import NOC from the Narcotics Commissioner and the post-import CWC notification obligation: importers who obtain the NOC but miss the 30-day CWC notification window face a separate DGFT policy-condition breach, which is treated independently of the narcotic-licence compliance. The CWC notification is not a one-time registration — it is required afresh for each individual consignment, and failure to submit the bill-of-entry copy to DGFT within the 30-day window attracts enforcement under policy condition 3 of Chapter 29.

Need a regulatory steer on this product?

Speak to a regulatory counsel about your specific HSN, IS, and supplier situation.

Speak to an Expert

Frequently asked

Does HSN 2933 33 21 require BIS certification?

No, fentanyl and its salts are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the Narcotics Commissioner NOC requirement and, where applicable, CIB&RC registration and permit under the Insecticides Act, 1968, with the ITC (HS) CWC post-import notification condition administered by DGFT.

At which ports can this substance be imported?

Import of substances falling within the Schedule to the Insecticides Act, 1968 is restricted to specified ports under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971; the current notified list should be confirmed with CIB&RC before shipment.

What happens if the 30-day CWC post-import notification is missed?

Failure to notify consignment details to the National Authority and DGFT within 30 days constitutes a breach of ITC (HS) policy condition 3 of Chapter 29, exposing the importer to DGFT enforcement action including possible suspension of future import privileges for this tariff line.

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