Sewage sludge

Sewage sludge, restricted waste import

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 3825 20 00 (Sewage sludge) is subject to the ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), with compliance mandated under Para 8(b) of the General Notes regarding import policy of the ITC (HS). Import is additionally governed by Rules 12 and 13 of the Hazardous Waste (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016, which regulate the transboundary movement of hazardous waste into India.

What this is

HSN code

3825 20 00

Chapter

38 · Miscellaneous chemical products

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) Restricted import policy, Chapter 38

Customs documentation

Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from exporter
ITC (HS) policy compliance from DGFT
Hazardous waste movement documentation from CPCB

Compliance steps

1
Verify that the import satisfies Para 8(b) of the General Notes regarding import policy of the ITC (HS) before filing the bill of entry. Sewage sludge is classified as Restricted; import without fulfilment of the applicable policy condition exposes the consignment to seizure and re-export.
Para 8(b) of General Notes, ITC (HS) Import Policy · ITC (HS) Chapter 38 Restricted classification
2
Ensure the Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate (document code 856001) is uploaded in e-Sanchit prior to the bill of entry. The proper officer must verify this upload before granting out-of-charge; absence of the certificate results in detention of the consignment.
CCR mandatory document requirement · document code 856001 · e-Sanchit upload obligation
3
Confirm compliance with Rules 12 and 13 of the Hazardous Waste (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016, covering the conditions and documentation required for transboundary movement of waste into India.
Rules 12 and 13 of the Hazardous Waste (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is treating the Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate as the sole compliance trigger and overlooking the transboundary-movement requirements under Rules 12 and 13 of the Hazardous Waste (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016. Non-compliance with those rules is an independent ground for detention and confiscation, separate from the ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy breach, and can attract criminal liability under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 3825 20 00 require BIS certification?

No, sewage sludge is not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade and is subject to Rules 12 and 13 of the Hazardous Waste (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016.

Is the Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate mandatory at the bill of entry for sewage sludge imports?

Yes. Document code 856001 must be uploaded in e-Sanchit before the bill of entry is processed; the proper officer is required to verify this upload before granting out-of-charge clearance.

What are the consequences of importing sewage sludge without satisfying the Hazardous Waste Rules conditions?

Non-compliance with Rules 12 and 13 of the Hazardous Waste (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 is an independent ground for detention, confiscation, and re-export of the consignment, and may attract criminal liability under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

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