Goods specified in Supplementary Note 12 to this Chapter

Herbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators (Supplementary Note 12)

CDSCO CLEARANCE · CIB&RC CLEARANCE · +1 OTHER PGAS

HSN 3808 93 41 covers goods specified in Supplementary Note 12 to Chapter 38 and is subject to mandatory registration or import permit under Section 9 of the Insecticides Act, 1968, administered by the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC). Where the goods are also classified as medical devices under G.S.R. 102(E) dated 11-02-2020, registration with the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) applies as a concurrent overlay. Import is Free under DGFT Notification 44/2025-26 subject to policy condition 7 of Chapter 29, with CBIC Chapter 29/38 mandatory qualifiers required at bill of entry.

What this is

HSN code

3808 93 41

Chapter

38 · Miscellaneous chemical products

Primary regulator

CIB&RC · Insecticides Act, 1968 and Insecticides Rules, 1971

Customs documentation

Registration certificate or import permit from CIB&RC
CDSCO registration from MOHFW
Chapter 29/38 qualifiers from CBIC

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

CDSCOCDSCO·Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation

CIB&RCCIB&RC·Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee

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
Obtain mandatory registration or, where the herbicide/plant-growth regulator is imported for a non-insecticidal purpose, an import permit from the CIB&RC under Section 9 of the Insecticides Act, 1968. The certificate of registration specifies the permitted source of import; no consignment may arrive from any source other than that stated on the registration certificate or permit.
Section 9 of the Insecticides Act, 1968 · Insecticides Rules, 1971 · DGFT Notification 44/2025-26 dated 15-10-2025 · policy condition 7 of Chapter 29
2
Route the consignment only through ports notified under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971. Where the goods additionally qualify as a medical device listed in G.S.R. 102(E) dated 11-02-2020, upload the CDSCO registration document in e-Sanchit before filing the bill of entry.
Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971 · G.S.R. 102(E) dated 11-02-2020
3
Ensure mandatory additional qualifiers for Chapter 38 and CTH 3808 commodities are declared in the import declaration per paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus, with effect from 15 October 2023. Also confirm compliance with Supplementary Note 12 of Chapter 38 as introduced by the Finance Bill 2025 with effect from 01-05-2025.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, para 4.1 and 4.2 · Finance Bill 2025 w.e.f. 01-05-2025 · Supplementary Note 12 of Chapter 38

A word of counsel

The most prevalent error on this tariff line is importing from a source not specified on the CIB&RC registration certificate or import permit — a violation that cannot be remedied post-arrival and results in outright refusal of out-of-charge, potential seizure under the Insecticides Act, 1968, and criminal liability for the importer. Where the same product is also notified as a medical device under G.S.R. 102(E), operators frequently overlook the concurrent CDSCO registration requirement; arrival without CDSCO registration triggers detention pending regularisation, which is not always possible.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 3808 93 41 require BIS certification?

No, no BIS Quality Control Order covers goods under Supplementary Note 12 of Chapter 38. Import is governed by the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee under the Insecticides Act, 1968, with a concurrent CDSCO overlay where the goods are notified as medical devices under G.S.R. 102(E) dated 11-02-2020.

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

Import is restricted to ports notified under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971; the current list of permitted ports should be confirmed with CIB&RC before shipment, as arrival at a non-notified port renders the consignment liable to seizure.

When is a CIB&RC import permit required instead of full registration?

An import permit (in lieu of registration) is available where the herbicide or plant-growth regulator is imported strictly for a non-insecticidal purpose, as determined by the Registration Committee; the permit conditions, including permitted source and end-use restrictions, are binding and must be satisfied at every consignment.

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