Formaldehyde (CAS 50-00-0): import duty, licences and trade rules in India
Formaldehyde is an aldehyde resulting from the formal oxidation of methanol. For trade in India: OK to trade, but watch: global treaties & export markets; safety; food residue limits. Import duty is about 27.73% (tariff item 2912 11 00). DGFT policy: import Free, export Free. EU CMR classification: Carc. 1B.
Checked 2026-10-31 against official Indian and international lists. Sources are given under each answer.
Key facts
| CAS number | 50-00-0 |
|---|---|
| Formula | CH2O |
| Also called | formalin, methanal, formol, Formic aldehyde |
| Tariff item (HS) | 2912 11 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 |
| EU CMR classification | Carc. 1B |
Every answer, with its source
Rules in IndiaOK
- Not on the Indian banned-pesticide, drug-precursor, narcotic, psychotropic or new-drug lists we check.
- Import policy (DGFT ITC(HS)) for tariff item 2912 11 00: Free, so no import licence is needed under trade policy.
- On India’s hazardous chemicals list (MSIHC Rules 1989). Importers must send the State authorities the consignment details and full safety information before each import (30 days ahead where possible, never later than the import date) and keep import records.
Exporting from IndiaOK
- Not on the SCOMET export-control list or the precursor export list.
- Not approved as a pesticide in the EU: food sent there must carry almost none of it.
- The buyer’s country may still have its own import rules.
- Export policy (DGFT ITC(HS)) for tariff item 2912 11 00: Free.
Global treaties & export marketsCHECK
- Not listed by the Stockholm Convention (persistent pollutants), the Rotterdam Convention (prior consent before export) or the Montreal Protocol (ozone layer).
- Restricted under EU REACH Annex XVII: some uses, products or concentrations are banned in the EU; check the restriction entry for your product.
- 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 as a carcinogen category 1B (CLP Annex VI, index 605-001-00-5). It may not be sold to the general public in the EU as such or in mixtures above the limit (REACH Annex XVII, entries 28-30), and its use at work must be minimised.
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 2912 11 00: Methanal (formaldehyde).
SafetySTOP
- Burns skin and eyes, eats into metal
- Poisonous, even in small amounts
- Irritates skin, eyes or breathing
- Can cause long-term health damage
- Toxic if swallowed
- Toxic in contact with skin
- Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
- May cause an allergic skin reaction
- Causes serious eye damage
- Always read the supplier’s safety data sheet (SDS) before handling.
Storage, transport & PESOOK
- Ships as UN 1198 / UN 2209 / UN 3077 (Class 9, Corrosive): dangerous-goods rules apply by road, sea (IMDG) and air (IATA), with labels, packaging and a transport document.
Food residue limitsCHECK
- India (FSSAI) has no specific limit, so the default 0.01 mg/kg applies to food.
- EU: not approved; most EU food limits are at the detection limit.
Price and suppliersNO DATA
- Post a requirement and we will find suppliers for you.
Questions about Formaldehyde
What is the import duty on Formaldehyde in India?
The total import duty on Formaldehyde is about 27.73% of the import value under tariff item 2912 11 00, including basic customs duty, the social welfare surcharge and IGST. Check the latest notifications before you import.
Is there anti-dumping duty on Formaldehyde?
No anti-dumping duty on Formaldehyde was found in the Customs (ADD) notifications in force.
What is the HS code (tariff item) of Formaldehyde in India?
Formaldehyde falls under tariff item 2912 11 00 of the Customs Tariff of India.
Is Formaldehyde restricted or licensed in India?
No ban or licence; import paperwork applies. Not on the Indian banned-pesticide, drug-precursor, narcotic, psychotropic or new-drug lists we check. Import policy (DGFT ITC(HS)) for tariff item 2912 11 00: Free, so no import licence is needed under trade policy.
Can Formaldehyde be imported freely into India?
Under DGFT's ITC(HS) import policy, Formaldehyde is Free.
Does exporting Formaldehyde from India need a licence?
No export licence needed. Not on the SCOMET export-control list or the precursor export list.
Is Formaldehyde hazardous?
Very hazardous: strict controls needed. Burns skin and eyes, eats into metal. Poisonous, even in small amounts. Irritates skin, eyes or breathing.
Is Formaldehyde regulated under global treaties or in the EU and US?
EU: restricted uses. Not listed by the Stockholm Convention (persistent pollutants), the Rotterdam Convention (prior consent before export) or the Montreal Protocol (ozone layer). Restricted under EU REACH Annex XVII: some uses, products or concentrations are banned in the EU; check the restriction entry for your product.
Related chemicals
Guidance from official lists, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with DGFT, customs or the regulator before you trade.