Other

Synthetic organic pigments and preparations based thereon

CBIC CLEARANCE

HSN 3204 17 19 (Other synthetic organic pigments and preparations) is subject to mandatory additional qualifiers in import declarations administered by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023. The qualifier requirements under Paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of that Circular apply to all commodities under Chapter 32 with effect from 15 October 2023.

What this is

HSN code

3204 17 19

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 from CBIC
Import declaration from CBIC

Compliance steps

1
Ensure the import declaration for HSN 3204 17 19 includes all mandatory additional qualifiers stipulated in Paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus. The requirement applies to commodities under Chapters 28, 29, 32, 39 and CTH 3808 with effect from 15 October 2023; a declaration filed without the required qualifiers is liable to detention at the bill-of-entry stage.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, Paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2
2
Review the specific qualifier fields mandated for Chapter 32 pigment preparations before each shipment, as the qualifiers are commodity-specific and must accurately describe the synthetic organic pigment type and preparation basis. Inaccurate or incomplete qualifier entries attract misdeclaration liability under the Customs Act, 1962.
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 standard bill of entry without the Chapter 32 additional qualifiers introduced by CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus, either because the importer is unaware of the 15 October 2023 effective date or because the customs broker's template has not been updated. A declaration deficient in the mandatory qualifiers is treated as incomplete at the assessment stage, triggering detention and potential misdeclaration proceedings under the Customs Act, 1962 — not merely a rectifiable clerical lapse.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 3204 17 19 require BIS certification?

No, synthetic organic pigment preparations under this tariff line are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. The operative compliance obligation is the mandatory additional qualifier requirement under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, which governs the form of the import declaration.

Which chapters are covered by the mandatory qualifier requirement under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus?

The qualifier requirement applies to commodities under Chapters 28, 29, 32, 39 and CTH 3808, with effect from 15 October 2023 as stipulated in Paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of the Circular.

Does the qualifier obligation apply to every import of synthetic organic pigments, or only to certain sub-categories?

The obligation applies at the chapter level to all covered CTIs including HSN 3204 17 19; there are no sub-category carve-outs stated in the CCR, so all importers of synthetic organic pigments and preparations under this tariff line must comply.

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