Ephedrine and its salts

Ephedrine and its salts, natural or synthetic alkaloids

CIB&RC CLEARANCE

HSN 2939 41 00 (Ephedrine and its salts) is subject to a No Objection Certificate from the Narcotics Commissioner, Gwalior, and, where the substance figures in the Schedule to the Insecticides Act, 1968, registration and import permit from the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC) under the Insecticides Rules, 1971. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) policy condition 3 of Chapter 29 additionally requires post-import notification to the National Authority for the Chemical Weapons Convention and submission of a copy of the bill of entry to DGFT within 30 days of import.

What this is

HSN code

2939 41 00

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 imported substance falls within the Schedule to the Insecticides Act, 1968, also secure registration and an import permit from the secretariat of CIB&RC and route the consignment only through the restricted places of import notified under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971.
DGFT Notification 54/2015-20 dated 09-02-2022 · Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971
2
Within 30 days of import, notify consignment details to the National Authority, Chemical Weapons Convention (Cabinet Secretariat); the Ministry of External Affairs (DANDISA); the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals; and DGFT, and submit a copy of the bill of entry to DGFT. This post-import obligation applies to every consignment regardless of quantity.
ITC (HS) policy condition 3 of Chapter 29 · DGFT Notification 54/2015-20 dated 09-02-2022
3
Include the mandatory additional qualifiers in the import declaration as stipulated under Para 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, applicable to commodities under Chapter 29, with effect from 15-10-2023. Where the imported quantity of a specified hazardous substance exceeds the prescribed threshold, take out an 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 most common error on this tariff line is treating the ITC (HS) 'Free' import status as unconditional. Ephedrine and its salts are Free subject to policy condition 3 of Chapter 29, which imposes both a pre-import NOC from the Narcotics Commissioner and a post-import 30-day notification obligation to four separate authorities — failure to notify within the window constitutes a breach of the policy condition independent of the import clearance already granted. Where the substance additionally falls within the Insecticides Act Schedule, a separate CIB&RC registration and a port-of-import restriction under Rule 45 overlay the narcotics NOC, creating a dual-track pre-clearance requirement that must be resolved before vessel arrival.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 2939 41 00 require BIS certification?

No, ephedrine and its salts are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the Narcotics Commissioner NOC requirement, 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.

Which ports may be used for import of this tariff line where the Insecticides Act Schedule applies?

Places of import for insecticides scheduled under the Insecticides Act, 1968 are restricted to those notified under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971; the active list should be confirmed with CIB&RC before placing the purchase order.

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

Failure to notify the National Authority (CWC), DANDISA, the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, and DGFT within 30 days of import — and to submit the bill of entry copy to DGFT — constitutes a breach of ITC (HS) policy condition 3 of Chapter 29, attracting DGFT-policy enforcement and potential confiscation of future consignments.

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