Blacks

Reactive dyes and preparations, black shades

CBIC CLEARANCE

HSN 3204 16 80 (Blacks, reactive dyes) is subject to mandatory additional qualifiers in the import declaration under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023. The requirement applies to all commodities under Chapter 32 with effect from 15 October 2023, and the qualifying particulars must be declared at the bill-of-entry stage.

What this is

HSN code

3204 16 80

Chapter

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

Primary regulator

CBIC · Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, Chapter 32 mandatory qualifiers

Customs documentation

Chapter 32 qualifiers declaration to CBIC
Commercial invoice from exporter

Compliance steps

1
Ensure the import declaration includes the mandatory additional qualifiers stipulated in Paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus for Chapter 32 commodities. These qualifiers must be captured at the bill-of-entry stage with effect from 15 October 2023.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, Para 4.1 and 4.2
2
Verify that the commercial documentation from the foreign supplier accurately reflects the chemical identity and technical grade of the reactive black dye, consistent with the qualifier particulars declared to customs. Discrepancies between the bill-of-entry declaration and accompanying documents expose the consignment to examination and detention.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, Para 4.1 and 4.2

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is filing the bill of entry without the Chapter 32 qualifier particulars — either because the customs broker's template pre-dates 15 October 2023 or because the foreign supplier's invoice omits the chemical descriptors needed to populate the fields. A declaration that is deficient in the mandatory qualifiers is liable to examination and detention at the port; the circular applies across Chapters 28, 29, 32, 39 and CTH 3808, so the same supplier invoice gap recurs across dye-intermediate shipments.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 3204 16 80 require BIS certification?

No, reactive black dyes do not fall within any BIS Quality Control Order regime. The operative requirement for this tariff line is the mandatory additional qualifiers in the import declaration under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023.

From which date are the Chapter 32 mandatory qualifiers required, and which paragraphs of the circular are relevant?

The requirement is operative with effect from 15 October 2023 under Paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023; it applies to all import declarations for commodities under Chapters 28, 29, 32, 39 and CTH 3808.

Does the qualifier requirement apply only to black reactive dyes or to the broader reactive-dye sub-heading?

The CBIC Circular applies at the Chapter 32 level, covering all commodities under that chapter; it is not limited to black shades and applies equally to other reactive dye preparations within heading 3204.

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