Agar oil
Agar oil, agarwood resinoid (CITES-listed species)
HSN 3301 30 10 (Agar oil) is subject to Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) controls under the provisions of CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), as implemented through the Wildlife Protection Act. The tariff line is Restricted under the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), and import requires CITES documentation at the bill of entry.
- CITES import permit from WCCB
- CITES export permit from origin authority
- ITC (HS) Restricted-import declaration from DGFT
Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Directorate General of Foreign Trade.
- 1Obtain a CITES import permit from the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau before the consignment is dispatched. Agar oil derives from Aquilaria species listed under CITES Appendix II, and import without a valid CITES permit constitutes a wildlife-trade offence under the Wildlife Protection Act.ITC (HS) import policy, CTI 3301 30 10 — Restricted, subject to CITES provisions
- 2Ensure the exporting country's CITES Management Authority has issued a corresponding CITES export permit for the consignment and that the permit is presented alongside the CITES import permit at the port of entry. Mismatched or expired CITES permits attract confiscation of the consignment.ITC (HS) import policy, CTI 3301 30 10 — Restricted, subject to CITES provisions
The most common error on this tariff line is importing agar oil as a processed essential oil or resinoid without CITES documentation, on the mistaken assumption that processing removes the CITES obligation. CITES controls attach to Aquilaria-derived products regardless of the degree of processing, and a consignment arriving without a valid CITES import permit faces seizure and potential prosecution under the Wildlife Protection Act, irrespective of FSSAI or other clearances obtained for the fragrance or cosmetic end-use.