Vat blue 6 (blue BC)

Vat blue 6 dye, vat dyes and preparations

CBIC CLEARANCE

HSN 3204 15 54 (Vat blue 6 / Blue BC) is subject to mandatory additional qualifier declarations 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 stipulated Chapter 32 qualifiers at the bill-of-entry stage in compliance with Paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of that Circular, with effect from 15 October 2023.

What this is

HSN code

3204 15 54

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
Commercial invoice from exporter

Compliance steps

1
Include the mandatory additional qualifiers specified in Paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus in the import declaration at the bill-of-entry stage. These qualifiers apply to all commodities under Chapter 32 and are mandatory with effect from 15 October 2023.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, Paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2
2
Verify that the commercial invoice and supporting documents from the foreign supplier contain the technical particulars required by the Chapter 32 qualifier regime. Incomplete declarations may result in customs examination, consignment detention, or demurrage pending re-submission.
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 with a generic product description and omitting the Chapter 32 technical qualifiers mandated by CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus. The qualifier obligation extends across Chapters 28, 29, 32, 39 and CTH 3808, so brokers handling mixed dye-and-chemical consignments sometimes apply the Chapter 29 qualifier template to Chapter 32 goods — an error that triggers customs examination and detention at the port of import.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 3204 15 54 require BIS certification?

No. No BIS Quality Control Order covers vat dyes or preparations under this tariff line. The operative obligation is the Chapter 32 mandatory qualifier declaration under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus, which has applied to all Chapter 32 imports since 15 October 2023.

What specific qualifiers must be declared at the bill of entry for HSN 3204 15 54?

The qualifiers are those stipulated in Paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30 September 2023; the circular should be consulted directly for the full list of technical particulars required for Chapter 32 commodities.

Does the Chapter 32 qualifier requirement apply to all vat dye imports or only to certain sub-categories?

The requirement applies to all commodities under Chapter 32 as specified in CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus, covering the full heading 3204 family including vat dyes usable as pigments and their preparations.

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