Methylphenidate (INN) and its salt

Methylphenidate and its salts, psychotropic substance

CIB&RC CLEARANCE · NDPS CLEARANCE

HSN 2933 33 23 (Methylphenidate (INN) and its salt) is subject to Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) import-certificate requirements under the NDPS Rules, 1985 for medical or scientific use, with a No Objection Certificate mandatory from the Narcotics Commissioner, Gwalior, before import. Where the substance also figures in the Schedule to the Insecticides Act, 1968, registration and import permit from the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC) apply concurrently. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) policy condition 3 of Chapter 29 further requires post-import notification to the National Authority, Chemical Weapons Convention within 30 days.

What this is

HSN code

2933 33 23

Chapter

29 · Organic chemicals

Primary regulator

NDPS · Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Rules, 1985, Chapter VII-A

Customs documentation

Import certificate from NDPS
NOC from Narcotics Commissioner
Registration and permit from CIB&RC

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
Obtain an import certificate for medical or scientific use under Chapter VII-A of the NDPS Rules, 1985 and secure a No Objection Certificate from the Narcotics Commissioner, Gwalior, before the consignment is shipped. Both documents must be uploaded in e-Sanchit prior to filing the bill of entry.
NDPS Rules, 1985, Chapter VII-A · DGFT Notification 54/2015-20 dated 09-02-2022
2
Where the substance figures in the Schedule to the Insecticides Act, 1968, obtain registration and an import permit from the CIB&RC and route the consignment only through ports notified under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971. Consignments arriving at non-notified ports are liable to seizure.
Insecticides Act, 1968 · Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971
3
Within 30 days of import, notify the National Authority CWC (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. Additionally, ensure the bill of entry carries mandatory Chapter 29 additional qualifiers per CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, effective 15 October 2023.
DGFT Notification 54/2015-20 dated 09-02-2022 · CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, Para 4.1 and 4.2

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is treating the NDPS import certificate as the sole compliance gateway and overlooking the concurrent CIB&RC registration requirement where the substance is scheduled under the Insecticides Act, 1968. The two regimes are operationally independent: a valid NDPS import certificate does not constitute a CIB&RC permit, and a consignment lacking the CIB&RC credential will be detained regardless of NDPS clearance. The port-restriction under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971 adds a further physical-routing obligation that must be confirmed before vessel departure.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 2933 33 23 require BIS certification?

No. No BIS Quality Control Order covers methylphenidate or its salts. Import is governed by the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Rules, 1985 (Chapter VII-A) with a mandatory NOC from the Narcotics Commissioner, Gwalior, and, where applicable, concurrent registration and permit from the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee.

Is the 30-day post-import notification to the National Authority CWC mandatory even when the import is for medical use?

Yes. DGFT Notification 54/2015-20 dated 09-02-2022 requires every importer, regardless of end-use category, to notify the National Authority CWC, DANDISA, the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, and DGFT within 30 days and to submit a copy of the bill of entry to DGFT.

What ITC (HS) policy applies if methylphenidate is imported for a use other than medical or scientific?

Non-medical or non-scientific imports may follow the ITC (HS) Schedule, Appendix-I and policy condition 2 to Chapter 29, but the NOC from the Narcotics Commissioner, Gwalior, and the CWC post-import notification obligation remain applicable per DGFT Notification 54/2015-20.

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