Linear alkylbenzenes
Linear alkylbenzenes for detergent and surfactant manufacture
HSN 3817 00 11 (linear alkylbenzenes) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 12795:2020 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 03 April 2023, by virtue of the Linear Alkyl Benzene (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2022. Directorate General of Foreign Trade policy conditions 1 and 2 to Chapter 38 apply as a separate customs-clearance overlay.
Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Directorate General of Foreign Trade.
- 1Source only from a Bureau of Indian Standards CM/L-licensed manufacturer holding a current licence against IS 12795:2020 for linear alkylbenzenes. Verify the supplier's CM/L number, licensed product scope, and manufacturing facility address on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order.Linear Alkyl Benzene (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2022 · S.O. 1648(E) dated 05-04-2022 · S.O. 4602(E) dated 22-09-2022
- 2Ensure every consignment lot bears the ISI standard mark and the supplier's CM/L number as required under Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Marking must appear on the product or its immediate container, not on outer packaging alone.Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · Linear Alkyl Benzene (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2022
- 3Confirm compliance with ITC HS policy conditions 1 and 2 applicable to Chapter 38 before filing the bill of entry. These conditions apply to this CTI and are separate from the BIS QCO obligation.ITC HS policy condition nos. 1 and 2 to Chapter 38
- 4Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number on the bill of entry and ensure it is valid and scope-matched on the date of arrival. Customs verifies the CM/L against the BIS register in real time; an absent, expired, or scope-mismatched licence triggers consignment detention.Linear Alkyl Benzene (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2022 · BIS Act, 2016 · Customs Act, 1962
The most common error on this tariff line is treating the enforcement date of the original notification — 05 April 2022 under S.O. 1648(E) — as the operative compliance date, when the CCR confirms the ISI mark obligation on imports did not take effect until 03 April 2023. Importers who anchored their supplier-qualification timelines to the earlier notification date and placed purchase orders before the manufacturer obtained a valid CM/L against IS 12795:2020 have faced detention at port on consignments shipped after the operative date. Confirm the CM/L grant date on the BIS register falls on or before 03 April 2023 and remains current.