Acid oranges

Acid orange dyes, premetallised and mordant preparations

CBIC CLEARANCE

HSN 3204 12 12 (Acid oranges) is subject to mandatory additional qualifier declarations under Chapter 32 of the Customs Tariff, administered by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023. Importers must furnish the prescribed chemical qualifiers in the import declaration at the bill-of-entry stage with effect from 15 October 2023.

What this is

HSN code

3204 12 12

Chapter

32 · Tanning or dyeing extracts; tannins and their derivatives; dyes, pigments, paints and varnishes

Primary regulator

CBIC · Customs Tariff Act, 1975 — Chapter 32 mandatory qualifier regime

Customs documentation

Chapter 32 qualifiers from CBIC
Bill of entry declaration to CBIC

Compliance steps

1
Furnish the mandatory additional chemical qualifiers in the import declaration as stipulated in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus. These qualifiers apply to all commodities under Chapters 28, 29, 32, 39 and CTH 3808, and compliance is mandatory with effect from 15 October 2023.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, Para 4.1 and 4.2
2
Ensure the bill of entry accurately identifies the acid orange dye category, including premetallised status and preparation basis, to satisfy the qualifier requirements. Incomplete or absent qualifiers may result in consignment detention pending rectification.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is filing a bill of entry without the Chapter 32 chemical qualifiers required since 15 October 2023, treating them as optional supplementary data. CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus makes these qualifiers mandatory at the declaration stage; a missing or incomplete qualifier entry is grounds for consignment detention and re-examination, attracting demurrage and ground rent while the declaration is rectified.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 3204 12 12 require BIS certification?

No, acid orange dyes are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import compliance for this tariff line is governed by CBIC under the mandatory Chapter 32 qualifier regime introduced by CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023.

From which date are the Chapter 32 mandatory qualifiers operative for HSN 3204 12 12?

The mandatory additional qualifier requirements under paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus are operative with effect from 15 October 2023 for all import declarations covering Chapters 28, 29, 32, 39 and CTH 3808.

Do the CBIC qualifier requirements apply to preparations based on acid orange dyes as well as the pure dye?

Yes. The qualifier regime under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus covers all commodities under Chapter 32, which includes both the acid orange dye itself and preparations based thereon as described in the subheading for CTH 3204 12.

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