Newspaper ink

Newspaper ink for printing and publishing

CBIC CLEARANCE

HSN 3215 19 20 (Newspaper ink) 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, operative from 15 October 2023. All import declarations for goods under Chapter 32 must include the stipulated technical qualifiers at paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of that Circular.

What this is

HSN code

3215 19 20

Chapter

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

Primary regulator

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

Customs documentation

Chapter 32 qualifiers from CBIC
Commercial invoice from exporter

Compliance steps

1
Include all mandatory additional qualifiers in the import declaration as stipulated in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023. These qualifiers are compulsory for all commodities under Chapter 32, with effect from 15 October 2023.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2
2
Verify that the bill of entry description accurately reflects the technical composition and end-use category of the newspaper ink at the time of filing. An incomplete or non-conforming declaration is liable to examination, detention, and monetary penalty under the Customs Act, 1962.
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 only the commercial description of the ink, without appending the Chapter 32 mandatory technical qualifiers prescribed in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus. A declaration deficient in these qualifiers is flagged as non-compliant at first appraisement, triggering examination and potential detention even where the substantive classification and duty are undisputed.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 3215 19 20 require BIS certification?

No, no BIS Quality Control Order covers newspaper ink under this tariff line. Import is governed by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus, which mandates additional technical qualifiers in import declarations for Chapter 32 commodities.

When did the mandatory qualifier requirement for Chapter 32 commodities become effective?

The mandatory additional qualifier requirement under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus came into effect on 15 October 2023 and applies to all import declarations for commodities under Chapters 28, 29, 32, 39 and CTH 3808.

Do the Chapter 32 mandatory qualifiers apply only to newspaper ink or to all printing inks under heading 3215?

CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus applies to all commodities under Chapter 32 as a whole, so the qualifier obligation extends to all tariff lines within Chapter 32, including other printing, writing and drawing inks under heading 3215.

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