Pigment violets

Synthetic organic pigment violets and preparations

CBIC CLEARANCE

HSN 3204 17 40 (Pigment violets) is subject to Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) mandatory additional qualifier requirements under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, operative from 15 October 2023. Import declarations for goods under Chapter 32 must include the specified chemical qualifiers in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of that circular at the bill-of-entry stage.

What this is

HSN code

3204 17 40

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
Include all mandatory additional qualifiers specified in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus in the import declaration for this consignment. The requirement applies to all commodities under Chapters 28, 29, 32, 39 and CTH 3808, and has been operative from 15 October 2023.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, para 4.1 and 4.2
2
Verify that the bill of entry correctly reflects the chemical identity and composition details of the pigment violet preparation, as incomplete or inaccurate qualifiers invite assessment scrutiny, consignment examination, and potential detention at the port of import.
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 with the standard product description alone and omitting the mandatory chemical qualifiers required by CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus. A declaration lacking the paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 qualifiers is treated as non-compliant from 15 October 2023 onward — triggering examination, reassessment, and possible detention — even when the pigment itself is otherwise correctly classified under 3204 17 40.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 3204 17 40 require BIS certification?

No, synthetic organic pigment violets are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import compliance for this tariff line is governed by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs mandatory qualifier regime under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023.

What specific information must be included as mandatory qualifiers under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus?

Paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus set out the stipulated chemical qualifier fields for commodities under Chapters 28, 29, 32, 39 and CTH 3808; the declared details must reflect the actual chemical identity and composition of the pigment violet preparation imported.

Does the mandatory qualifier requirement apply to pigment preparations based on pigment violets, or only to the pure pigment?

The requirement under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus applies to all commodities under Chapter 32, including preparations based on synthetic organic colouring matter, so both pure pigment violets and preparations based thereon under HSN 3204 17 40 are within its scope.

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