Citric Acid (CAS 77-92-9): import duty, licences and trade rules in India

Citric acid is a tricarboxylic acid that is propane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid bearing a hydroxy substituent at position 2. For trade in India: OK to trade, but watch: rules in India. Import duty is about 27.73% (tariff item 2918 14 00). DGFT policy: import Free, export Free. Drug schedule: H.

OK to trade, but watch: rules in India.

Checked 2026-10-31 against official Indian and international lists. Sources are given under each answer.

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Key facts

CAS number	77-92-9
Formula	C6H8O7
Also called	2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid, Citric acid, anhydrous, Aciletten, Anhydrous citric acid
Tariff item (HS)	2918 14 00
Total import duty	about 27.73%
Anti-dumping duty (most producers)	None found
DGFT import policy	Free
DGFT export policy	Free
SCOMET (export control)	Not listed
NDPS / precursor	Not listed
Drug schedule	H

Every answer, with its source

Rules in IndiaCHECK

Prescription drug: drug licence needed

Not on the Indian banned-pesticide, drug-precursor, narcotic, psychotropic or new-drug lists we check.
Normal factory, storage and GST rules still apply.
Import policy (DGFT ITC(HS)) for tariff item 2918 14 00: Free, so no import licence is needed under trade policy.
A Schedule H prescription drug: medicines containing it are sold only on prescription, and making or selling it needs a drug licence. (Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945; salts and preparations are covered too.)

Source: CIB&RC pesticide lists · CDSCO new drug approvals · NDPS RCS Order 2013 · DGFT ITC(HS) 2022, Schedule 1 Import Policy · Drugs and Cosmetics Rules 1945, Schedules H, H1 and X

Exporting from IndiaOK

No export licence needed

Not on the SCOMET export-control list or the precursor export list.
The buyer’s country may still have its own import rules.
Export policy (DGFT ITC(HS)) for tariff item 2918 14 00: Free.

Source: DGFT SCOMET list · NDPS RCS Order 2013 · DGFT ITC(HS) 2022, Schedule 2 Export Policy

Global treaties & export marketsOK

No treaty or export-market restriction found

Not listed by the Stockholm Convention (persistent pollutants), the Rotterdam Convention (prior consent before export) or the Montreal Protocol (ozone layer).
Registered under EU REACH, so EU importers can buy it under an existing registration.
Active on the US TSCA Inventory, so it can be imported into the US without a new-chemical notice.
Listed on the Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals (AICIS), so it can be introduced into Australia as an existing industrial chemical.
EU: harmonised classification (CLP Annex VI, index 607-750-00-3): Eye Irrit. 2, STOT SE 3. Suppliers in the EU must label it this way.

Source: Stockholm Convention, all listed POPs · Rotterdam Convention Annex III · Montreal Protocol annexes (ozone layer, Kigali HFCs) · EU CLP Regulation Annex VI (harmonised classification) · US EPA TSCA Inventory · ECHA REACH lists, as published in PubChem

Import dutyOK

About 27.73% of the import value

About ₹27,730 duty on every ₹1,00,000 of import value (CIF).
Made up of basic customs duty 7.5%, social welfare surcharge 0.75% and IGST 18%. IGST can usually be claimed back as input tax credit.
Tariff item 2918 14 00: Citric acid.
A lower rate may apply under certain conditions; ask your customs broker.

Source: Customs Tariff of India, CBIC · Notification 45/2025-Customs · Notification 9/2025-Integrated Tax (Rate)

SafetyCHECK

Hazardous: take normal precautions

Irritates skin, eyes or breathing
Causes serious eye irritation
May cause respiratory irritation
Always read the supplier’s safety data sheet (SDS) before handling.

Source: PubChem GHS classification

Price and suppliersOK

Listed on RasayanXchange

No daily rate yet. Ask suppliers for a quote.

Source: RasayanXchange market data

US patentsCHECK

Some US product patents run to 2038-01-27

The molecule is free, but some US formulations or uses are still protected.
1 generic companies already sell it in the US.
Indian patents are not checked.

Source: FDA Orange Book

Questions about Citric Acid

What is the import duty on Citric Acid in India?

The total import duty on Citric Acid is about 27.73% of the import value under tariff item 2918 14 00, including basic customs duty, the social welfare surcharge and IGST. Check the latest notifications before you import.

Is there anti-dumping duty on Citric Acid?

No anti-dumping duty on Citric Acid was found in the Customs (ADD) notifications in force.

What is the HS code (tariff item) of Citric Acid in India?

Citric Acid falls under tariff item 2918 14 00 of the Customs Tariff of India.

Is Citric Acid restricted or licensed in India?

Prescription drug: drug licence needed. Not on the Indian banned-pesticide, drug-precursor, narcotic, psychotropic or new-drug lists we check. Normal factory, storage and GST rules still apply.

Can Citric Acid be imported freely into India?

Under DGFT's ITC(HS) import policy, Citric Acid is Free.

Does exporting Citric Acid from India need a licence?

No export licence needed. Not on the SCOMET export-control list or the precursor export list.

Is Citric Acid hazardous?

Hazardous: take normal precautions. Irritates skin, eyes or breathing. Causes serious eye irritation. May cause respiratory irritation.

Is Citric Acid regulated under global treaties or in the EU and US?

No treaty or export-market restriction found. Not listed by the Stockholm Convention (persistent pollutants), the Rotterdam Convention (prior consent before export) or the Montreal Protocol (ozone layer). Registered under EU REACH, so EU importers can buy it under an existing registration.

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Guidance from official lists, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with DGFT, customs or the regulator before you trade.