Cathine (INN) and its salts

Cathine (INN) and its salts, psychotropic alkaloid

CIB&RC CLEARANCE · NDPS CLEARANCE

HSN 2939 43 00 (Cathine (INN) and its salts) is subject to Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) controls requiring a No Objection Certificate from the Narcotics Commissioner, Gwalior, under DGFT Notification 39/2015-2020 dated 03-10-2018, with import for medical or scientific use additionally governed by Chapter VII-A of the NDPS Rules, 1985. 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 concurrently required, and import locations are restricted under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971. Mandatory Chapter 29 qualifiers under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023 apply as a customs-declaration overlay.

What this is

HSN code

2939 43 00

Chapter

29 · Organic chemicals

Primary regulator

NDPS · NDPS Rules, 1985 (Chapter VII-A); CIB&RC · Insecticides Act, 1968 where scheduled

Customs documentation

NOC from Narcotics Commissioner Gwalior
Import certificate from NDPS authority
Registration certificate 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 a No Objection Certificate from the Narcotics Commissioner, Gwalior, before filing the bill of entry. Import of cathine (INN) and its salts is free only subject to ITC (HS) policy condition no. 3 to Chapter 29; the NOC is the binding gate for clearance under DGFT Notification 39/2015-2020.
DGFT Notification 39/2015-2020 dated 03-10-2018 · ITC (HS) policy condition 3, Chapter 29
2
If importing for medical or scientific use, obtain an import certificate under Chapter VII-A of the NDPS Rules, 1985. Upload the mandatory e-Sanchit documents — Certificate of Analysis (drug) [0010dc], Batch Release Certificate [0030dc], Label of Consignment [0110dc], Registration Certificate (drugs) [101dc1], and Import Licence for drugs [9111dc] — before out-of-charge.
NDPS Rules, 1985, Chapter VII-A · CBIC e-Sanchit document codes 0010dc, 0030dc, 0110dc, 101dc1, 9111dc
3
Where the consignment is a substance scheduled under the Insecticides Act, 1968, secure registration and an import permit from the CIB&RC secretariat, and confirm the port of import is among those permitted under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971. In all cases, include mandatory Chapter 29 additional qualifiers in the import declaration per CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus with effect from 15-10-2023.
Insecticides Act, 1968 · Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971 · 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 assuming the NDPS NOC from the Narcotics Commissioner, Gwalior, is sufficient for all import purposes and overlooking the parallel CIB&RC registration and permit obligation when the substance appears in the Schedule to the Insecticides Act, 1968. The two regimes are independent: a valid NDPS import certificate does not satisfy the CIB&RC registration requirement, and importation through a port not notified under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971, renders the consignment liable to seizure regardless of the NDPS clearance.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 2939 43 00 require BIS certification?

No, cathine (INN) and its salts are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by NDPS controls requiring a No Objection Certificate from the Narcotics Commissioner, Gwalior, under DGFT Notification 39/2015-2020, with a concurrent CIB&RC registration and permit obligation where the substance is scheduled under the Insecticides Act, 1968.

Which e-Sanchit document codes are mandatory at the bill of entry for medical or scientific use imports?

Certificate of Analysis — drug [0010dc], Batch Release Certificate [0030dc], Label of Consignment [0110dc], Registration Certificate (drugs) [101dc1], and Import Licence for drugs [9111dc] must all be uploaded in e-Sanchit before customs out-of-charge.

Does the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 apply to imports of this substance?

Yes, where the import of cathine (INN) and its salts exceeds the specified quantities designated as hazardous, the owner must obtain an insurance policy under the provisions of the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991, 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.