In packings of a net weight content not exceeding 300 g

Retail-packed insecticides, fungicides, herbicides under 300 g

DGFT CLEARANCE · CBIC CLEARANCE

HSN 3808 61 00 (insecticides and related products in packings not exceeding 300 g) is subject to ITC (HS) import policy conditions 1, 2 and 4 of Chapter 38 administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), with import restricted to ports notified under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) Circular 23/2023-Cus mandates additional qualifiers in import declarations for goods under CTH 3808, effective 15 October 2023.

What this is

HSN code

3808 61 00

Chapter

38 · Miscellaneous chemical products

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) Restricted import policy, Chapter 38 (conditions 1, 2 and 4)

Customs documentation

Import Licence from DGFT
Chapter 38 qualifiers from CBIC
Port-compliance declaration to CBIC

Compliance steps

1
Verify compliance with ITC (HS) import policy conditions 1, 2 and 4 of Chapter 38 before filing the bill of entry. The tariff line is Restricted; import without a valid DGFT authorisation covering the applicable policy conditions renders the consignment liable to detention and confiscation.
ITC (HS) Import Policy, Chapter 38, conditions 1, 2 and 4 · DGFT
2
Route the consignment only through ports notified for insecticide imports under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971. For import of formulations specifically, ensure compliance with CBIC Circular 07/2014-Cus dated 07-03-2014.
Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971 · CBIC Circular 07/2014-Cus dated 07-03-2014
3
Include mandatory additional qualifiers in the import declaration for CTH 3808 commodities as stipulated in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus. These qualifiers have been compulsory at the bill-of-entry stage with effect from 15 October 2023; omission triggers declaration rejection.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2

A word of counsel

The most frequent error on this tariff line is filing an import declaration for CTH 3808 formulations without the additional qualifiers mandated under paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus — an omission that produces an outright rejection at the bill-of-entry stage, not merely a flag for post-clearance audit. Separately, the port-of-import restriction under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971 is independent of the DGFT policy conditions; a consignment with a current DGFT authorisation but arriving at a non-notified port remains subject to seizure.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 3808 61 00 require BIS certification?

No. No BIS Quality Control Order covers retail-packed insecticides, fungicides or herbicides under CTH 3808. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy conditions of Chapter 38 administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, with CBIC overlay requirements for mandatory declaration qualifiers.

Which ports are permitted for the import of insecticides under this tariff line?

Import of insecticides is restricted to ports notified under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971; the current notified-port list should be confirmed before shipment, as consignments arriving at non-notified ports are liable to seizure irrespective of DGFT authorisation status.

Do the CBIC mandatory qualifier requirements under Circular 23/2023-Cus apply to formulation imports as well as raw substances?

Yes. CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus applies to all commodities under CTH 3808 including formulations, effective 15 October 2023; importers of formulations must additionally ensure compliance with CBIC Circular 07/2014-Cus dated 07-03-2014 covering formulation-specific requirements.

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