Retinoic Acid (CAS 302-79-4): import duty, licences and trade rules in India
All-trans-retinoic acid is a retinoic acid in which all four exocyclic double bonds have E- (trans-) geometry. For trade in India: OK to trade, but watch: rules in India; safety. Import duty is about 27.73% (tariff item 2916 (estimate)). Drug schedule: H.
Checked 2026-10-31 against official Indian and international lists. Sources are given under each answer.
Key facts
| CAS number | 302-79-4 |
|---|---|
| Formula | C20H28O2 |
| Also called | tretinoin, all-trans-Retinoic acid, Vitamin A acid, trans-Retinoic acid |
| Tariff item (HS) | 2916 (estimate) |
| Total import duty | about 27.73% |
| Anti-dumping duty (most producers) | None found |
| SCOMET (export control) | Not listed |
| NDPS / precursor | Not listed |
| Drug schedule | H |
Every answer, with its source
Rules in IndiaCHECK
- Not on the Indian banned-pesticide, drug-precursor, narcotic, psychotropic or new-drug lists we check.
- Normal factory, storage and GST rules still apply.
- 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.)
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.
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.
- Active on the US TSCA Inventory, so it can be imported into the US without a new-chemical notice.
Import dutyOK
- About ₹27,730 duty on every ₹1,00,000 of import value (CIF).
- No tariff line names this chemical, so we worked out its likely heading from its structure: 2916, unsaturated acyclic and cyclic monocarboxylic acids and their derivatives (carboxylic acid group).
- All lines under heading 2916 pay basic customs duty 7.5%; with social welfare surcharge and IGST 18% that makes about 27.73%.
- Confirm the exact 8-digit code with your customs broker before you import.
SafetySTOP
- Irritates skin, eyes or breathing
- Can cause long-term health damage
- Harmful to fish and water life
- Harmful if swallowed
- Causes skin irritation
- Causes serious eye irritation
- May cause respiratory irritation
- May damage fertility or the unborn child
- Always read the supplier’s safety data sheet (SDS) before handling.
Price and suppliersNO DATA
- Post a requirement and we will find suppliers for you.
US patentsCHECK
- The molecule is free, but some US formulations or uses are still protected.
- 12 generic companies already sell it in the US.
- Indian patents are not checked.
Questions about Retinoic Acid
What is the import duty on Retinoic Acid in India?
The total import duty on Retinoic Acid is about 27.73% of the import value under tariff item 2916 (estimate), including basic customs duty, the social welfare surcharge and IGST. Check the latest notifications before you import.
Is there anti-dumping duty on Retinoic Acid?
No anti-dumping duty on Retinoic Acid was found in the Customs (ADD) notifications in force.
What is the HS code (tariff item) of Retinoic Acid in India?
Retinoic Acid falls under tariff item 2916 (estimate) of the Customs Tariff of India.
Is Retinoic 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.
Does exporting Retinoic Acid from India need a licence?
No export licence needed. Not on the SCOMET export-control list or the precursor export list.
Is Retinoic Acid hazardous?
Very hazardous: strict controls needed. Irritates skin, eyes or breathing. Can cause long-term health damage. Harmful to fish and water life.
Is Retinoic 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). 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.