Pethidine (INN) intermediate A and its salt

Pethidine intermediate A, scheduled narcotic synthesis precursor

CIB&RC CLEARANCE

HSN 2933 33 26 (Pethidine (INN) intermediate A and its salt) is subject to a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Narcotics Commissioner, Gwalior, before import, and to registration and import permit from the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC) where the substance figures in the Schedule to the Insecticides Act, 1968. Import is Free under the ITC (HS) policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) subject to Policy Condition 3 of Chapter 29, with mandatory post-import notification to the National Authority Chemical Weapons Convention and DGFT within 30 days of import.

What this is

HSN code

2933 33 26

Chapter

29 · Organic chemicals

Primary regulator

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

Customs documentation

NOC from Narcotics Commissioner Gwalior
Registration and 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 filing the bill of entry. Where the substance falls within the Schedule to the Insecticides Act, 1968, separately obtain registration and an import permit from the secretariat of CIB&RC and route the consignment only through ports specified 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
Include mandatory additional qualifiers in the import declaration for Chapter 29 commodities in compliance with CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, with effect from 15 October 2023 per Paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of that Circular. Failure to include the required qualifiers will cause the bill of entry to be rejected at the assessment stage.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, Paras 4.1 and 4.2
3
Within 30 days of import, notify the details of each consignment to the National Authority Chemical Weapons Convention (Cabinet Secretariat), the Ministry of External Affairs (DANDISA), the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, and DGFT; submit a copy of the bill of entry to DGFT within the same 30-day window. Where quantities of specified hazardous substances exceed the prescribed threshold, take out an insurance policy under the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991.
ITC (HS) Policy Condition 3 of Chapter 29 · DGFT Notification 54/2015-20 dated 09-02-2022 · S.O. 227(E) dated 24-03-1992, Ministry of Environment and Forests

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is treating the Narcotics Commissioner NOC and the CIB&RC import permit as mutually exclusive — importers assume only one applies. Both may operate concurrently: the NOC is mandatory for every consignment irrespective of end-use, while CIB&RC registration and the Insecticides Rules, 1971 port restriction activate if the substance appears in the Insecticides Act Schedule. An importer who clears the CIB&RC step but neglects to notify DGFT and the National Authority within 30 days of import is in breach of Policy Condition 3 of Chapter 29 even on an otherwise fully documented consignment.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 2933 33 26 require BIS certification?

No, no BIS Quality Control Order covers pethidine intermediate A or its salts. Import is governed by a mandatory NOC from the Narcotics Commissioner, Gwalior, CIB&RC registration and permit where the substance is scheduled under the Insecticides Act, 1968, and ITC (HS) Policy Condition 3 of Chapter 29 administered by DGFT.

Are there port restrictions on the import of this substance under the Insecticides Rules, 1971?

Yes. Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971 restricts import of insecticides — including scheduled substances — to specified ports only; consignments arriving at non-specified ports are liable to seizure and detention.

What is the consequence of missing the 30-day post-import notification deadline under Policy Condition 3 of Chapter 29?

Failure to notify the National Authority Chemical Weapons Convention, DANDISA, the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, and DGFT — or to submit the bill of entry copy to DGFT — within 30 days constitutes a breach of the ITC (HS) import policy condition and exposes the importer to DGFT enforcement action including suspension of future import authorisations.

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