Aluminium phosphite (for example phostoxin)

Aluminium phosphide insecticide (phostoxin, fumigant tablets)

CDSCO CLEARANCE · MOHFW CLEARANCE

HSN 3808 91 11 (Aluminium phosphide, for example Phostoxin) is subject to Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) registration requirements under the Medical Devices Rules as notified in G.S.R. 102(E) dated 11-02-2020, issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW). Import is Free under DGFT Notification 45/2025-26 dated 15-10-2025 but subject to ITC (HS) policy conditions 1, 2, 4, and 7 of Chapter 38, with import permitted only through ports specified under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971.

What this is

HSN code

3808 91 11

Chapter

38 · Miscellaneous chemical products

Primary regulator

CDSCO · Medical Devices Rules, G.S.R. 102(E) dated 11-02-2020 (MOHFW notification)

Customs documentation

Registration certificate from CDSCO
Chapter 38 additional qualifiers from CBIC
Import declaration from DGFT

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

CDSCOCDSCO·Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation

MOHFWMOHFW·Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs.

Compliance steps

1
Confirm that the aluminium phosphide product is registered with the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation under G.S.R. 102(E) dated 11-02-2020. Where the product falls within the listed medical devices category, all conditions specified in that notification — including CDSCO registration — must be satisfied before the bill of entry is filed.
G.S.R. 102(E) dated 11-02-2020, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare · ITC (HS) policy conditions 1, 2 and 4 of Chapter 38
2
Ensure the bill of entry includes mandatory additional qualifiers for CTH 3808 as stipulated in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-CUS dated 30-09-2023, effective 15 October 2023. Non-compliance triggers Customs detention and refusal of out-of-charge at the port of import.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-CUS dated 30-09-2023, paras 4.1 and 4.2
3
Route the consignment only through ports notified under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971. For import of formulations, comply with Customs Circular 07/2014-CUS dated 07-03-2014. Verify the operative ITC (HS) policy condition 7 of Chapter 38 as updated by DGFT Notification 45/2025-26 dated 15-10-2025.
Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971 · CBIC Circular 07/2014-CUS dated 07-03-2014 · DGFT Notification 45/2025-26 dated 15-10-2025

A word of counsel

The most frequent error on this tariff line is treating the ITC (HS) Free status as equivalent to unconditional admissibility. Import is Free but subject to policy conditions 1, 2, 4 and 7 of Chapter 38, CDSCO registration under G.S.R. 102(E), and the port restriction under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971 — all of which remain independently enforceable. A consignment arriving at an unnotified port or without the Chapter 38 mandatory qualifiers is detained regardless of CDSCO registration currency.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 3808 91 11 require BIS certification?

No, aluminium phosphide insecticides are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by CDSCO registration requirements under G.S.R. 102(E) dated 11-02-2020 issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, alongside ITC (HS) policy conditions administered by DGFT and port restrictions under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971.

Which ports are notified for import of insecticides under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971?

The notified ports are specified under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971; the current list should be confirmed with CDSCO or the relevant customs authority before shipment, as diversion to an un-notified port renders the consignment liable to detention.

Do the Chapter 38 mandatory qualifiers in CBIC Circular 23/2023-CUS apply to formulations as well as bulk aluminium phosphide?

Yes — CBIC Circular 23/2023-CUS dated 30-09-2023 requires mandatory additional qualifiers for all commodities under CTH 3808, effective 15 October 2023; for formulations specifically, additional compliance with Customs Circular 07/2014-CUS dated 07-03-2014 also applies.

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