Blue 15 (pathalocyanine blue)

Pigment Blue 15, phthalocyanine blue synthetic organic pigment

CBIC CLEARANCE

HSN 3204 17 51 (Blue 15 phthalocyanine blue) is subject to mandatory additional qualifier declarations in import filings administered by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023. Importers must furnish the stipulated Chapter 32 qualifiers at the bill-of-entry stage with effect from 15 October 2023.

What this is

HSN code

3204 17 51

Chapter

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

Primary regulator

CBIC · CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus (mandatory Chapter 32 qualifiers in import declarations)

Customs documentation

Chapter 32 qualifiers from CBIC
Import declaration to CBIC

Compliance steps

1
Include all mandatory additional qualifiers for Chapter 32 commodities in the import declaration at the bill-of-entry stage, as stipulated in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus. These qualifiers are mandatory with effect from 15 October 2023 and non-compliance risks bill-of-entry rejection.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2
2
Verify that the import declaration correctly identifies the product under CTH 3204 17 51 and that all qualifier fields covering Chapters 28, 29, 32, 39 and CTH 3808 are populated before the bill of entry is assessed. Incomplete qualifier entries attract detention and re-assessment.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is submitting the bill of entry without the Chapter 32 mandatory qualifiers required by CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus, treating the declaration as a routine synthetic-pigment entry. The qualifier obligation applies across all commodities under Chapters 28, 29, 32, 39 and CTH 3808 simultaneously; an importer filing multiple lines across those chapters must populate qualifiers for every covered CTH, not just the primary line, or risk detention of the entire consignment.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 3204 17 51 require BIS certification?

No. No BIS Quality Control Order covers phthalocyanine blue pigments under this tariff line. The operative requirement is the mandatory Chapter 32 qualifier declaration under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, applicable from 15 October 2023.

What exactly are the mandatory qualifiers required under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus for this HSN?

The specific qualifier fields are prescribed in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, and must be populated in the import declaration for all commodities under Chapter 32, including CTH 3204 17 51, with effect from 15 October 2023.

Does the qualifier obligation under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus apply to re-imports or only to fresh commercial imports?

The circular specifies mandatory qualifiers for import declarations generally under Chapters 28, 29, 32, 39 and CTH 3808 without a carve-out for re-imports; any bill of entry filed on or after 15 October 2023 for this CTH must carry the prescribed qualifiers.

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