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HomeHSNChapter 32HSN 3204 12 68

Red II (alizarine red)

Acid dye, alizarine red (Red II), mordant dye preparation

CBIC CLEARANCE

HSN 3204 12 68 (Red II, alizarine red) is subject to mandatory additional qualifier declarations at the bill of entry administered by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023. The qualifier requirements apply to all import declarations for commodities under Chapters 28, 29, 32, 39 and CTH 3808, with effect from 15 October 2023.

What this is
HSN code
3204 12 68
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 (mandatory Chapter 32 qualifiers)
Customs documentation
  • Chapter 32 qualifiers from CBIC
  • Import declaration from CBIC
Compliance steps
  1. 1
    At the bill of entry, include all mandatory additional qualifiers for Chapter 32 commodities as stipulated in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus. Declarations filed without the prescribed qualifiers are liable to being held up for amendment or re-assessment at the port.
    CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, paras 4.1 and 4.2, effective 15-10-2023
  2. 2
    Verify that the import declaration accurately identifies the product as an acid dye or mordant dye preparation under subheading 3204 12, with the specific chemical identity of alizarine red (Red II) reflected in the qualifier fields required for CTH 3204.
    CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, para 4.1
A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is filing the bill of entry without the mandatory Chapter 32 qualifiers introduced by CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus, which took effect on 15 October 2023. Because alizarine red is a chemically defined synthetic organic colouring matter, the qualifier fields must capture the specific chemical identity — not merely the commercial trade name — and a mismatch between the declared qualifier and the accompanying technical documentation will trigger a customs query, causing consignment detention and accruing demurrage.

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Frequently asked
Does HSN 3204 12 68 require BIS certification?
No, acid dyes and mordant dye preparations are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs under the mandatory qualifier-declaration requirement of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus for Chapter 32 commodities.
Which qualifier fields are mandatory under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus for this tariff line?
Paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus specify the mandatory additional qualifiers for all import declarations covering Chapters 28, 29, 32, 39 and CTH 3808; the precise field list is set out in the Circular's annexure and must be applied at the time of filing the bill of entry.
Does the Chapter 32 qualifier obligation apply to both acid dyes and mordant dye preparations under this subheading?
Yes. The qualifier requirement under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus applies to all commodities under Chapter 32, covering both the chemically defined alizarine red acid dye and any mordant dye preparations classified at this subheading.
Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-16. Source: CBIC / Indian Customs CUSDATA.
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