Digitalis glycosides

Digitalis glycosides for medical and scientific use

NDPS CLEARANCE

HSN 2938 90 20 (Digitalis glycosides) is subject to Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) import controls under Chapter VII-A of the NDPS Rules, 1985, requiring an import certificate under Rule 53 before shipment. Imports outside the medical and scientific purpose category are governed by Appendix-I to the ITC (HS) Schedule under policy condition 2 of Chapter 29, administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). Mandatory additional qualifiers in the import declaration are required under Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023 with effect from 15 October 2023.

What this is

HSN code

2938 90 20

Chapter

29 · Organic chemicals

Primary regulator

NDPS · NDPS Rules, 1985 (Chapter VII-A, Rule 53 import certificate)

Customs documentation

Import certificate from NDPS
Import licence for drugs from CDSCO
Registration certificate from CDSCO

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

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 under Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 for imports under the medical and scientific purpose special provision in Chapter VII-A. Details and the application portal are available at cbn.nic.in. Imports not covered by this category must comply with Appendix-I to the ITC (HS) Schedule under ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29.
Rule 53 and Chapter VII-A of the NDPS Rules, 1985 · ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29
2
Ensure that all five mandatory documents are uploaded in e-Sanchit before filing the bill of entry: Certificate of Analysis — Drug (0010dc), Batch Release Certificate (0030dc), Label of Consignment (0110dc), Registration Certificate — Drugs (101dc1), and Import Licence for Drugs (9111dc). The proper officer verifies these before granting out-of-charge.
CCR e-Sanchit document codes 0010dc, 0030dc, 0110dc, 101dc1, 9111dc
3
Include the mandatory additional qualifiers in the import declaration for Chapter 29 commodities as stipulated in Paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus, applicable with effect from 15 October 2023. Non-compliance results in the bill of entry being held for examination.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, Paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is uploading only the drug-registration and import-licence documents while omitting the NDPS import certificate under Rule 53 — the two regimes are concurrent, not alternative. Even where CDSCO drug documentation is complete, the absence of the NDPS certificate renders the consignment liable to detention and seizure under the NDPS Act; and separately, failure to include Chapter 29 mandatory qualifiers per CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus triggers examination and demurrage independently of PGA clearance status.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 2938 90 20 require BIS certification?

No, digitalis glycosides are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Rules, 1985 under the NDPS framework, with an ITC (HS) policy overlay administered by DGFT and mandatory CBIC Chapter 29 qualifiers.

Which document codes must be uploaded in e-Sanchit for this tariff line?

Five documents are mandatory: Certificate of Analysis — Drug (0010dc), Batch Release Certificate (0030dc), Label of Consignment (0110dc), Registration Certificate — Drugs (101dc1), and Import Licence for Drugs (9111dc), all to be uploaded before out-of-charge is granted.

What governs imports of digitalis glycosides that are not for medical or scientific purposes?

Imports outside the medical and scientific purpose special provision are governed by Appendix-I to the ITC (HS) Schedule under ITC (HS) policy condition 2 of Chapter 29, administered by DGFT; such imports do not benefit from the Chapter VII-A NDPS Rules import-certificate pathway.

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