Pentazocine (INN) and its salt

Pentazocine and its salts, narcotic analgesic substance

CIB&RC CLEARANCE · NDPS CLEARANCE

HSN 2933 33 24 (Pentazocine (INN) and its salt) is subject to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) regime, requiring an import certificate for medical or scientific use under Chapter VII-A of the NDPS Rules, 1985, together with a No Objection Certificate from the Narcotics Commissioner, Gwalior. Where the substance falls within the Schedule to the Insecticides Act, 1968, registration and an import permit from the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC) are additionally required, with import restricted to notified places under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971. DGFT policy condition 3 of Chapter 29 and mandatory Chapter 29 qualifiers under CBIC Circular 23/2023-CUS apply as customs-overlay requirements.

What this is

HSN code

2933 33 24

Chapter

29 · Organic chemicals

Primary regulator

NDPS · NDPS Rules, 1985, Chapter VII-A (import certificate for narcotic substances)

Customs documentation

Import certificate from NDPS
NOC from Narcotics Commissioner
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
Obtain an import certificate from the Narcotics Commissioner, Gwalior, before shipment of pentazocine for medical or scientific use under Chapter VII-A of the NDPS Rules, 1985. Where the item is imported under ITC (HS) Appendix-I for other permitted use, comply with ITC (HS) policy condition 2 to Chapter 29 in addition to the NDPS framework.
NDPS Rules, 1985, Chapter VII-A · ITC (HS) policy condition 2 to Chapter 29
2
Within 30 days of import, notify the details of each consignment 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, as required by ITC (HS) policy condition 3 of Chapter 29.
DGFT Notification 54/2015-20 dated 09-02-2022 · ITC (HS) policy condition 3 of Chapter 29
3
Ensure mandatory additional qualifiers are declared in the import declaration under CBIC Circular 23/2023-CUS dated 30-09-2023, effective 15-10-2023, covering commodities under Chapter 29 as stipulated in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2. Where the substance falls within the Schedule to the Insecticides Act, 1968, also obtain CIB&RC registration and import permit, and route the consignment only through notified places under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-CUS dated 30-09-2023 · Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971 · S.O. 227(E) dated 24-03-1992

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is treating pentazocine purely as a chemical import and overlooking the NDPS import-certificate requirement, which is a pre-shipment obligation — not a post-arrival formality. A consignment arriving without the Narcotics Commissioner's NOC is liable to seizure and detention irrespective of FSSAI or DGFT compliance; the 30-day post-import notification obligation to multiple authorities under policy condition 3 of Chapter 29 is a separate and continuing duty whose breach attracts independent DGFT-policy enforcement.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 2933 33 24 require BIS certification?

No, pentazocine and its salts are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the NDPS Rules, 1985, requiring an import certificate and NOC from the Narcotics Commissioner, Gwalior, with DGFT policy condition 3 of Chapter 29 and CIB&RC registration applying as overlays where the substance is scheduled under the Insecticides Act, 1968.

Is the CIB&RC registration always required for this tariff line?

Only where pentazocine falls within the Schedule to the Insecticides Act, 1968; in that case, registration and an import permit from the CIB&RC secretariat are mandatory and import is restricted to notified places under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971.

What triggers the public liability insurance obligation on import?

Import of specified hazardous substances exceeding the quantities prescribed under the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 requires the owner to take out an insurance policy, per S.O. 227(E) dated 24-03-1992 issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

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