Reds

Reactive dyes and preparations, reds

CBIC CLEARANCE

HSN 3204 16 30 (Reactive dyes — Reds) is subject to mandatory Chapter 32 additional qualifier declarations in the import 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, operative from 15 October 2023, apply to all synthetic organic colouring matter under Chapter 32 and must be furnished at the time of import declaration.

What this is

HSN code

3204 16 30

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 from CBIC
Import declaration from CBIC

Compliance steps

1
Ensure the import declaration for HSN 3204 16 30 includes all mandatory additional qualifiers for Chapter 32 commodities as stipulated in Para 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus. Non-compliance with qualifier requirements is grounds for bill-of-entry detention at the port of import.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, Para 4.1 and 4.2 — operative from 15-10-2023
2
Confirm that the qualifier declarations cover the chemical identity and specification parameters required under the circular, which applies uniformly to all imports under Chapters 28, 29, 32, 39 and CTH 3808. File the completed bill of entry with qualifiers populated before the consignment arrives at the customs station.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is submitting an import declaration with the Chapter 32 qualifier fields left blank or partially completed, on the assumption that the circular applies only to chemical raw materials rather than to dye preparations. CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus applies expressly to preparations based on synthetic organic colouring matter — which is the precise scope of HSN 3204 16 30 — and an incomplete qualifier declaration triggers detention and reassessment, not merely a correctable amendment.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 3204 16 30 require BIS certification?

No, reactive dyes and preparations under this tariff line are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus, which mandates additional qualifier declarations for all Chapter 32 commodities with effect from 15 October 2023.

From which date are the Chapter 32 mandatory qualifiers enforceable, and which chapters does the circular cover?

The mandatory qualifier requirements under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus are operative from 15 October 2023 and cover import declarations for commodities under Chapters 28, 29, 32, 39 and CTH 3808.

Do the qualifier obligations under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus apply to preparations based on reactive dyes, or only to chemically defined reactive dyes?

The circular applies to both chemically defined synthetic organic colouring matter and to preparations based thereon, meaning HSN 3204 16 30 dye preparations are fully within scope and the qualifier fields must be populated for every import declaration.

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