EthephonCAS 16672-87-0 · import duty, licences and trade rules in India
(2-chloroethyl)phosphonic acid is a phosphonic acid compound having a 2-chloroethyl substituent attached to the P-atom. For trade in India: No ban or licence needed. Normal trade rules apply; handle as its safety advice says. Import duty is about 27.73% (tariff item 2931 59 00). DGFT policy: import Free, export Free.
Checked 2026-11-12 against official Indian and international lists. Sources are given under each answer.
What Ethephon is, its uses, properties and related chemicals: Ethephon on ChemXpress →
Every answer, with its source
Rules in IndiaOK
- Registered as a pesticide with CIB&RC, so registered companies may make, import and sell it.
- Approved grade under the Insecticides Act: Ethephon Technical 75% min, 90% min. 87% Min. & 89% min.*.
- CIB&RC lists 4 approved import sources and 12 Indian manufacturers (as on 31 Jul 2026).
- Indian manufacturers include Adama India Pvt Ltd, Bharat Rasayan Ltd Delhi, Ichiban Crop Science Ltd, Krishi Rasayan Pvt. Ltd, Sunshine Fine Chemsol India Pvt Ltd, United Chemicals 9, and 6 more.
- Approved import sources include Bayer Crop Science LP (USA); Shijiazhuang Richem Co (China); Jiangsu Anpon Ltd. Electrochemical Co. Ltd No. 30 (China); Jiangsu CF Agrochemical Co. Ltd (China).
- Approved plant growth regulator uses on 15 crops (CIB&RC Major Uses of Pesticides, 30 Sep 2026): Rubber; Ethephon 39 % SL; Mango (Mango); Pineapple; Coffee (Arabica); Coffee (Robusta); and 9 more.
- Registered formulations: 10% Paste, 15% WP, 20% WP, 39% SL.
- Import policy (DGFT ITC(HS)) for tariff item 2931 59 00: Free, so no import licence is needed under trade policy.
Exporting from IndiaOK
- 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 2931 59 00: Free.
Global treaties & export marketsOK
- Not listed by the Stockholm Convention (persistent pollutants), the Rotterdam Convention (prior consent before export) or the Montreal Protocol (ozone layer).
- No EU REACH registration found: an EU importer (or your only representative) must register it before importing a tonne or more a year. Medicines and pesticide actives follow their own EU rules.
- Not on the US TSCA Inventory, which does not cover medicines or pesticides; those are regulated by the FDA and EPA (FIFRA).
- EU: harmonised classification (CLP Annex VI, index 015-154-00-4): Acute Tox. 3, Acute Tox. 4, Skin Corr. 1C, Aquatic Chronic 2. Suppliers in the EU must label it this way.
Import dutyOK
- 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 2931 59 00: Halogenated organo-phosphorous derivatives, other.
- No Indian tariff line names this chemical. The EU customs inventory (ECICS) classifies it under CN 2931 59 90, which is HS subheading 2931 59; India has one line under that subheading, so this is its line.
SafetyCHECK
- Burns skin and eyes, eats into metal
- Poisonous, even in small amounts
- Irritates skin, eyes or breathing
- Harmful to fish and water life
- Harmful if swallowed or if inhaled
- Harmful if swallowed
- Toxic in contact with skin
- Harmful in contact with skin
- Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
- Always read the supplier’s safety data sheet (SDS) before handling.
Food residue limitsOK
- India (FSSAI) sets limits for 5 foods, for example Pomegranate 0.05 mg/kg, Pine apple 2 mg/kg, Coffee 0.1 mg/kg, Tomato 2 mg/kg.
- EU: approved as a pesticide.
- US (EPA, 40 CFR 180.300) sets tolerances for 53 foods, for example Cotton, gin byproducts 180.0 mg/kg, Cotton, undelinted seed 6.0 mg/kg, Grape 2.0 mg/kg, Grape, raisin 12.0 mg/kg.
Price and suppliersNO DATA
- Post a requirement and we will find suppliers for you.
Key facts
| CAS number | 16672-87-0 |
|---|---|
| Formula | C2H6ClO3P |
| Also called | 2-Chloroethylphosphonic acid, (2-Chloroethyl)phosphonic acid, Ethrel, Bromeflor |
| Tariff item (HS) | 2931 59 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 |
Questions about Ethephon
What is the import duty on Ethephon in India?
The total import duty on Ethephon is about 27.73% of the import value under tariff item 2931 59 00, including basic customs duty, the social welfare surcharge and IGST. Check the latest notifications before you import.
Is there anti-dumping duty on Ethephon?
No anti-dumping duty on Ethephon was found in the Customs (ADD) notifications in force.
What is the HS code (tariff item) of Ethephon in India?
Ethephon falls under tariff item 2931 59 00 of the Customs Tariff of India.
Is Ethephon restricted or licensed in India?
Allowed, under the normal registration. Registered as a pesticide with CIB&RC, so registered companies may make, import and sell it. Approved grade under the Insecticides Act: Ethephon Technical 75% min, 90% min. 87% Min. & 89% min.*.
Which crops is Ethephon approved for in India?
Approved plant growth regulator uses on 15 crops (CIB&RC Major Uses of Pesticides, 30 Sep 2026): Rubber; Ethephon 39 % SL; Mango (Mango); Pineapple; Coffee (Arabica); Coffee (Robusta); and 9 more.
Who is approved to manufacture or import Ethephon in India?
CIB&RC lists 4 approved import sources and 12 Indian manufacturers (as on 31 Jul 2026). Indian manufacturers include Adama India Pvt Ltd, Bharat Rasayan Ltd Delhi, Ichiban Crop Science Ltd, Krishi Rasayan Pvt. Ltd, Sunshine Fine Chemsol India Pvt Ltd, United Chemicals 9, and 6 more.
Can Ethephon be imported freely into India?
Under DGFT's ITC(HS) import policy, Ethephon is Free.
Does exporting Ethephon from India need a licence?
No export licence needed. Not on the SCOMET export-control list or the precursor export list.
Is Ethephon hazardous?
Dangerous: handle with proper protection. Burns skin and eyes, eats into metal. Poisonous, even in small amounts. Irritates skin, eyes or breathing.
Is Ethephon 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). No EU REACH registration found: an EU importer (or your only representative) must register it before importing a tonne or more a year. Medicines and pesticide actives follow their own EU rules.
Related chemicals
Guidance from official lists, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with DGFT, customs or the regulator before you trade.