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HomeHSNChapter 39HSN 3912 39 19

Other cellulose ethers

Other cellulose ethers in primary forms

CBIC CLEARANCE

HSN 3912 39 19 (Other cellulose ethers) is subject to Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) policy overlays governing Chapter 39 chemical imports. Mandatory additional qualifiers in import declarations under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus are required with effect from 15 October 2023, and importers must demonstrate proof of registration on the Centralised EPR Portal for Plastic Packaging under CBIC Instruction 21/2025-Customs.

What this is
HSN code
3912 39 19
Chapter
39 · Plastics and articles thereof
Primary regulator
CBIC · CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus and Instruction 21/2025-Customs, Chapter 39
Customs documentation
  • EPR Portal registration proof from CBIC
  • Chapter 39 qualifiers declaration from CBIC
Compliance steps
  1. 1
    Include all mandatory additional qualifiers in the import declaration for commodities under Chapter 39 as stipulated in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus. This requirement has been operative with effect from 15 October 2023 and non-compliant declarations are liable to being held up at the bill-of-entry stage.
    CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2
  2. 2
    Verify and upload proof of registration on the Centralised EPR Portal for Plastic Packaging before filing the bill of entry. Failure to demonstrate valid EPR registration attracts detention and out-of-charge denial under CBIC Instruction 21/2025-Customs.
    CBIC Instruction 21/2025-Customs dated 02-07-2025
A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is overlooking the EPR portal-registration requirement when cellulose ethers are imported as chemical intermediates rather than finished plastic packaging — CBIC Instruction 21/2025-Customs applies to plastic packaging commodities under Chapter 39 regardless of downstream use. Importers who treat the Chapter 39 qualifier obligation and the EPR registration as independent tasks risk simultaneous deficiency flags at the bill-of-entry stage, triggering detention and demurrage at port.

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Frequently asked
Does HSN 3912 39 19 require BIS certification?
No, other cellulose ethers in primary forms are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import compliance is governed by Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs policy overlays: mandatory Chapter 39 qualifiers under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus and EPR portal registration under CBIC Instruction 21/2025-Customs.
Which specific qualifiers are required in the import declaration under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus for Chapter 39 goods?
Paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30 September 2023 prescribe the mandatory additional qualifiers for import declarations covering Chapters 28, 29, 32, 39 and CTH 3808; the operative date for compliance was 15 October 2023.
Does the EPR portal registration requirement apply if the cellulose ether is used as a chemical intermediate and not as plastic packaging?
CBIC Instruction 21/2025-Customs dated 02-07-2025 applies to verification of proof of registration on the Centralised EPR Portal for Plastic Packaging for commodities under Chapter 39; importers should confirm the scope of the instruction against their specific product application before filing.
Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-16. Source: CBIC / Indian Customs CUSDATA.
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