Stearic acid
Industrial stearic acid, a monocarboxylic fatty acid
HSN 3823 11 00 (Stearic acid) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 12124:1987 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 28 October 2022, by virtue of the Rubberseed Fatty Acids (Quality Control) Order, 2022. No separate customs-clearance overlay beyond General Note 2 of the Import Policy applies to this tariff line.
- 1Source only from a Bureau of Indian Standards CM/L-licensed manufacturer holding a current licence against IS 12124:1987 for stearic acid. Verify the supplier's CM/L number, licensed product scope, and licensed manufacturing facility on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order.Rubberseed Fatty Acids (Quality Control) Order, 2022 · S.O. 1966(E) dated 27-04-2022
- 2Ensure every consignment batch bears the ISI mark and the supplier's CM/L number under Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Marking must appear on the product or its immediate commercial packaging, not on outer cartons alone.Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · Rubberseed Fatty Acids (Quality Control) Order, 2022
- 3Confirm that the supplier's licence scope under IS 12124:1987 covers the specific grade of stearic acid being imported. IS 12124 governs multiple fatty acid product types; a CM/L issued for a related acid variant does not automatically cover stearic acid.IS 12124:1987 · Rubberseed Fatty Acids (Quality Control) Order, 2022 · S.O. 1966(E) dated 27-04-2022
- 4Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number on the bill of entry and ensure compliance with General Note 2 of the Import Policy. Customs verifies the CM/L in real time against the BIS register; an absent, expired, or scope-mismatched licence triggers consignment detention.General Note 2 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · BIS Act, 2016 · Customs Act, 1962
The single most common error on this tariff line is assuming that a CM/L licence held by a supplier against IS 12124:1987 for a related rubberseed-derived fatty acid automatically extends to stearic acid. IS 12124 covers a family of industrial fatty acids, but each CM/L is scope-specific by product grade and manufacturing facility; importers who fail to verify that the licensed scope expressly names stearic acid find the consignment detained at port pending re-verification, with demurrage accruing throughout.