Violets

Reactive dyes and preparations, violet shades

CBIC CLEARANCE

HSN 3204 16 40 (Violets, reactive dyes) is subject to mandatory additional qualifier declarations in the import bill of entry under Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, operative from 15 October 2023. Importers must furnish the Chapter 32 qualifiers specified in Paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of that circular at the time of filing.

What this is

HSN code

3204 16 40

Chapter

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

Primary regulator

CBIC · Circular 23/2023-Cus, mandatory qualifier regime for Chapter 32

Customs documentation

Chapter 32 qualifiers from CBIC
Bill of entry declaration to CBIC

Compliance steps

1
At the time of filing the bill of entry, furnish the mandatory additional qualifiers for Chapter 32 commodities as specified in Paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus. These qualifiers are mandatory with effect from 15 October 2023 and apply to all import declarations for reactive dyes under CTH 3204.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, Paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2
2
Verify that the specific chemical or commercial description of the violet reactive dye — covering dye type, Colour Index name or number, and concentration — is accurately reflected in the qualifier fields, as incomplete declarations are grounds for examination and detention at the port of import.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, Paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is filing a bill of entry with only the commercial trade name of the dye and omitting the Chapter 32 qualifier fields mandated since 15 October 2023. CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus applies across Chapters 28, 29, 32, 39 and CTH 3808; customs systems may flag non-compliant declarations for examination, causing consignment detention and demurrage while the importer furnishes corrected qualifier data.

Need a regulatory steer on this product?

Speak to a regulatory counsel about your specific HSN, IS, and supplier situation.

Speak to an Expert

Frequently asked

Does HSN 3204 16 40 require BIS certification?

No, reactive violet dyes are not within any BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the mandatory additional qualifier declaration under Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, operative from 15 October 2023.

What are the mandatory qualifiers required under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus for Chapter 32 imports?

Paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus specify the qualifier fields that must be declared at the bill-of-entry stage for commodities under Chapters 28, 29, 32, 39 and CTH 3808; the precise field list is set out in the circular's Annexure.

Does the qualifier requirement apply to preparations based on reactive dyes, or only to the pure dye itself?

The Circular 23/2023-Cus qualifier obligation applies to all commodities classified under Chapter 32, which expressly includes preparations based on synthetic organic colouring matter such as reactive dye preparations, not only the chemically defined dye substance.

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