Non-coniferous

Non-coniferous wood chips, particles, fuel wood

WCCB CLEARANCE

HSN 4401 22 00 (Non-coniferous wood in chips or particles) is subject to Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) CITES permit requirements governing internationally protected timber species. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) administers the ITC (HS) import policy overlay, and all species of sandalwood are expressly excluded from this tariff heading.

What this is

HSN code

4401 22 00

Chapter

44 · Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal

Primary regulator

WCCB · CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) permit regime

Customs documentation

CITES certificate from WCCB
Phytosanitary Certificate from exporting country

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

WCCBWCCB·Wildlife Crime Control Bureau

Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

Compliance steps

1
Verify whether the non-coniferous timber species being imported is listed under CITES Appendices I, II, or III. If listed, obtain the requisite CITES certificate and upload it in e-Sanchit under document code 626000 before filing the bill of entry.
CITES permit regime · document code 626000 (e-Sanchit)
2
Obtain a Phytosanitary Certificate from the competent plant-health authority of the exporting country and upload it in e-Sanchit under document code 851000 before out-of-charge. Customs will verify both the CITES certificate and the Phytosanitary Certificate prior to clearance.
Document code 851000 (e-Sanchit) · ITC (HS) import policy

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is importing non-coniferous wood chips without confirming the CITES status of the timber species at the purchase-order stage. A consignment arriving without a required CITES certificate is detained at the port of entry and referred to WCCB; detention accrues demurrage and ground rent, and confiscation under the Wildlife Protection Act is a live enforcement outcome. Additionally, any attempt to import sandalwood under this CTH is barred by the ITC (HS) exclusion — misclassification of sandalwood as non-coniferous chips attracts seizure and penal action.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 4401 22 00 require BIS certification?

No, non-coniferous wood chips and fuel wood are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by Wildlife Crime Control Bureau CITES permit requirements and the ITC (HS) policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

Are both the CITES certificate and the Phytosanitary Certificate mandatory for every shipment under this tariff line?

The Phytosanitary Certificate (document code 851000) is mandatory for all consignments; the CITES certificate (document code 626000) is required where the timber species is listed under a CITES Appendix, and both must be uploaded in e-Sanchit before out-of-charge.

Can sandalwood be imported under HSN 4401 22 00?

No. All species of sandalwood are expressly excluded from CTH 4401 under the ITC (HS) import policy; attempting to import sandalwood under this tariff heading renders the consignment liable to seizure and DGFT-policy enforcement.

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