Blues

Reactive dye blues, synthetic organic colouring matter

CBIC CLEARANCE

HSN 3204 16 50 (Reactive dye blues) is subject to the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) mandatory-qualifier regime under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, which requires additional chemical-identity qualifiers in the import declaration for all commodities under Chapters 28, 29, 32, 39 and CTH 3808 with effect from 15 October 2023. No separate sectoral PGA licence or permit is required at the bill-of-entry stage beyond the CBIC declaration overlay.

What this is

HSN code

3204 16 50

Chapter

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

Primary regulator

CBIC · Mandatory Chapter 32 qualifiers, CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus

Customs documentation

Chapter 32 qualifiers from CBIC
Import declaration from CBIC

Compliance steps

1
Ensure the import declaration includes all mandatory additional qualifiers for Chapter 32 commodities as stipulated in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus. This requirement is operative from 15 October 2023 and applies to all bills of entry covering reactive dyes and preparations under HSN 3204 16 50.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2
2
Verify that the chemical-identity qualifiers in the import declaration accurately describe the specific reactive blue dye or preparation being imported. Incorrect or absent qualifiers expose the consignment to detention and a demand for amendment of the bill of entry before out-of-charge.
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 chemical-identity qualifiers mandated by CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus, treating the reactive dye as a routine Chapter 32 commodity requiring no additional declaration. Absent or incomplete qualifiers trigger a customs query and compulsory amendment before out-of-charge is granted, causing consignment detention, demurrage, and ground rent at the port of import.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 3204 16 50 require BIS certification?

No, reactive dye blues are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs mandatory-qualifier requirement under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus, which mandates specific chemical-identity qualifiers in the import declaration for all Chapter 32 commodities.

From which date are the mandatory Chapter 32 qualifiers operative?

The mandatory additional qualifiers for commodities under Chapters 28, 29, 32, 39 and CTH 3808 are operative from 15 October 2023 per CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023.

What happens if the mandatory qualifiers are missing from the bill of entry?

Customs will issue a query requiring amendment of the declaration before out-of-charge is granted; the consignment remains detained at port until the qualifying information is furnished, attracting demurrage and ground rent charges.

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