Other

Industrial fatty alcohols, other than primary subheadings

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 3823 70 90 (Industrial fatty alcohols — other) is subject to the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), which prohibits import of any directly potable alcohol or alcohol capable of use in making potable alcohol. Importers must confirm at the bill-of-entry stage that the product's end-use character is industrial and non-potable.

What this is

HSN code

3823 70 90

Chapter

38 · Miscellaneous chemical products

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) import policy prohibition on potable-use alcohols, Chapter 38

Customs documentation

End-use declaration from importer
Import policy compliance from DGFT

Compliance steps

1
Verify before filing the bill of entry that the industrial fatty alcohol being imported is neither directly potable nor capable of being used to make potable alcohol. The ITC (HS) policy condition absolutely prohibits import of any alcohol meeting either criterion; a misclassified consignment is liable to detention and confiscation.
ITC (HS) import policy condition, Chapter 38 — as per CCR
2
Maintain and produce, on demand by the proper officer, a product specification or supplier declaration establishing the industrial-use character and non-potability of the fatty alcohol. Upload all supporting documentation in e-Sanchit prior to out-of-charge.
ITC (HS) import policy condition, Chapter 38 · Customs Act, 1962

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is importing a fatty alcohol that is technically industrial in origin but whose composition or purity makes it convertible into potable alcohol — the ITC (HS) policy condition bars import on convertibility alone, not only on direct potability. A supplier certificate of analysis that omits purity grade or denaturant status routinely triggers the proper officer's inquiry at the bill of entry, resulting in detention and ground rent accumulation while the consignment is examined.

Need a regulatory steer on this product?

Speak to a regulatory counsel about your specific HSN, IS, and supplier situation.

Speak to an Expert

Frequently asked

Does HSN 3823 70 90 require BIS certification?

No, industrial fatty alcohols under this residual subheading are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed solely by the ITC (HS) import policy condition administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, which prohibits alcohols that are directly potable or convertible into potable alcohol.

What documentation establishes that a fatty alcohol is non-potable for customs purposes?

A supplier-issued certificate of analysis specifying the carbon-chain composition, purity grade, and denaturant status is the standard evidentiary document; the proper officer may require this to confirm the product falls outside the ITC (HS) potable-alcohol prohibition.

What happens if the proper officer determines that the imported fatty alcohol is convertible into potable alcohol?

The consignment is treated as an import in contravention of the ITC (HS) policy prohibition and is liable to detention, confiscation, and monetary penalty under the Customs Act, 1962; re-export or destruction may be directed.

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