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HomeHSNChapter 32HSN 3204 15 97

Solubilised vat blacks

Solubilised vat black dyes and preparations

CBIC CLEARANCE

HSN 3204 15 97 (Solubilised vat blacks) is subject to mandatory additional qualifier declarations in import filings 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 of commodities under Chapter 32 must furnish the stipulated chemical qualifiers at paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of that Circular at the bill-of-entry stage.

What this is
HSN code
3204 15 97
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
  • Bill of entry with para 4.1 and 4.2 data
Compliance steps
  1. 1
    Include the mandatory additional chemical qualifiers specified at paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus in the import declaration for this tariff line. Declarations filed without these qualifiers on or after 15 October 2023 are non-compliant and liable to detention at the port of entry.
    CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, para 4.1 and 4.2
  2. 2
    Ensure the bill of entry accurately reflects the chemical identity of the solubilised vat black product, consistent with the qualifier requirements applicable to Chapter 32 commodities. Mismatches between declared qualifiers and the actual product composition constitute a misdeclaration 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 the bill of entry without the Chapter 32 chemical qualifiers required under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus — particularly where the importer's broker treats the qualifiers as optional supplementary data rather than mandatory declaration fields. An incomplete qualifier field triggers a mismatch flag in CBIC's system and results in consignment detention, accumulating demurrage, until a corrected declaration is accepted; there is no post-filing grace period for qualifier omissions effective from 15 October 2023.

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Frequently asked
Does HSN 3204 15 97 require BIS certification?
No, solubilised vat black dyes are not subject to any BIS Quality Control Order. Import compliance for this tariff line is governed by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus, which mandates chemical qualifier declarations for Chapter 32 commodities.
From which date are the Chapter 32 mandatory qualifiers enforceable, and which paragraphs apply?
The mandatory additional qualifiers are enforceable with effect from 15 October 2023, as stipulated in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30 September 2023.
Do the same CBIC qualifier requirements apply to other synthetic dye chapters imported alongside this product?
Yes. CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus covers commodities under Chapters 28, 29, 32, 39 and CTH 3808, so any co-imported product under those chapters is subject to the same mandatory qualifier obligation at paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2.
Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-16. Source: CBIC / Indian Customs CUSDATA.
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