Blues

Acid dyes, premetallised, blues for textile and industrial use

CBIC CLEARANCE

HSN 3204 12 64 (Blues — acid dyes, whether or not premetallised) is subject to mandatory additional qualifiers in import declarations administered by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023. The qualifier requirement applies to all commodities under Chapter 32 with effect from 15 October 2023 and must be reflected in the bill of entry at the time of filing.

What this is

HSN code

3204 12 64

Chapter

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

Primary regulator

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

Customs documentation

Mandatory qualifier declaration from CBIC
Chapter 32 qualifiers from importer

Compliance steps

1
Ensure the import declaration for this CTI includes all mandatory additional qualifiers as specified in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus. The qualifier obligation applies to Chapter 32 commodities with effect from 15 October 2023 and an incomplete declaration will prevent out-of-charge.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, para 4.1 and 4.2
2
Upload the mandatory qualifier documentation in e-Sanchit at the bill of entry stage before customs out-of-charge. Non-compliance with the qualifier stipulations for Chapter 32 commodities is treated as a declaration deficiency under the Customs Act, 1962.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is filing a standard bill of entry without appending the Chapter 32 mandatory qualifiers required since 15 October 2023. The qualifier fields in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus are chemical-composition and end-use descriptors specific to synthetic organic colouring matter; importers who treat them as optional or defer completion to a post-filing amendment face detention and demurrage while the declaration is referred back for rectification.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 3204 12 64 require BIS certification?

No, acid dyes and premetallised blues are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. The operative compliance requirement is the mandatory additional qualifier declaration for Chapter 32 commodities under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, effective 15 October 2023.

What are the mandatory qualifiers required at the bill of entry stage under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus?

Paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus stipulate specific chemical-composition and end-use qualifiers for commodities under Chapters 28, 29, 32, 39 and CTH 3808; the exact qualifier fields must be completed in the import declaration before out-of-charge is granted.

Does the Chapter 32 qualifier obligation apply to all acid dye sub-categories, including blues under CTH 3204 12 64?

Yes. CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus applies to all commodities under Chapter 32 without sub-category carve-outs, and the mandatory qualifier requirement therefore extends to Blues under CTH 3204 12 64 from 15 October 2023.

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