Acid red

Acid red dyes, premetallised acid dyes and preparations

CBIC CLEARANCE

HSN 3204 12 13 (Acid red) is subject to mandatory additional qualifier declarations in import entries administered by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023. With effect from 15 October 2023, importers must furnish the chemical qualifiers stipulated in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of that Circular covering commodities under Chapters 28, 29, 32, 39 and CTH 3808.

What this is

HSN code

3204 12 13

Chapter

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

Primary regulator

CBIC · CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, Chapter 32 mandatory qualifiers

Customs documentation

Chapter 32 qualifiers declaration from CBIC
Import declaration from CBIC

Compliance steps

1
Include all mandatory additional qualifiers required under paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus in the import declaration for each consignment of Acid red under HSN 3204 12 13. These qualifiers became compulsory with effect from 15 October 2023 and a declaration that omits them is deficient at the bill of entry.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2
2
Verify that the bill of entry correctly identifies the commodity under Chapter 32 and that the qualifier fields are populated with the chemical-specificity data demanded by CBIC for synthetic organic colouring matter. Incomplete qualifier data may result in customs hold and demand for a corrected entry.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is filing the bill of entry without the Chapter 32 chemical qualifiers, treating them as optional descriptors rather than mandatory declaration fields. Since 15 October 2023, absent or incomplete qualifiers under paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus render the entry deficient, exposing the consignment to detention and demurrage while a corrected entry is filed.

Need a regulatory steer on this product?

Speak to a regulatory counsel about your specific HSN, IS, and supplier situation.

Speak to an Expert

Frequently asked

Does HSN 3204 12 13 require BIS certification?

No, acid red dyes are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. The operative compliance requirement is the mandatory additional qualifier declaration under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus, applicable to synthetic organic colouring matter under Chapter 32 with effect from 15 October 2023.

When did the mandatory Chapter 32 qualifier requirement for HSN 3204 12 13 take effect?

The requirement took effect from 15 October 2023 under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, covering commodities under Chapters 28, 29, 32, 39 and CTH 3808.

What happens if the additional qualifiers are omitted from the import declaration?

An import entry lacking the chemical qualifiers stipulated in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus is treated as deficient, and the consignment is liable to be held by customs pending a corrected declaration, resulting in detention and demurrage.

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