Cationic

Cationic organic surface-active agents (surfactants)

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 3402 41 00 (Cationic) is subject to the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), with compliance required under General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of the ITC (HS) 2022 for food-import entry points where applicable.

What this is

HSN code

3402 41 00

Chapter

34 · Soaps, organic surface-active agents, washing preparations, lubricating preparations, waxes

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) import policy, Chapter 34

Customs documentation

ITC (HS) policy declaration from DGFT
Entry-point compliance from CBIC

Compliance steps

1
Verify the import policy status under the ITC (HS) 2022 for this tariff line and ensure any applicable DGFT policy conditions are met before filing the bill of entry. Non-compliance with the ITC (HS) policy conditions renders the consignment liable to detention.
ITC (HS) 2022, Chapter 34 · DGFT import policy
2
Where the consignment is routed through a food-import designated entry point, ensure compliance with General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of the ITC (HS) 2022 governing food-import entry points.
General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of the ITC (HS) 2022

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is overlooking the General Note 4(D) entry-point condition when the cationic surfactant shipment is co-loaded with food or food-adjacent goods and routed through a designated food-import port. The entry-point compliance obligation attaches to the bill of entry, not to the product classification alone; failure to satisfy it at the port of import can result in consignment detention and demurrage even where the ITC (HS) policy status is otherwise free.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 3402 41 00 require BIS certification?

No, cationic organic surface-active agents are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, with General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of the ITC (HS) 2022 applying at designated food-import entry points.

When does the General Note 4(D) entry-point condition apply to this HSN?

General Note 4(D) of Schedule I of the ITC (HS) 2022 applies where the import is routed through a designated food-import entry point; importers should confirm the applicable port restriction before routing the consignment.

Is there any licensing or permit requirement from a sectoral regulator for cationic surfactants?

The regulatory record records no sectoral PGA licence or permit requirement for this tariff line; DGFT policy compliance and the General Note 4(D) entry-point condition are the operative clearance requirements at the bill-of-entry stage.

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