tert-Butyl methyl ether (CAS 1634-04-4): import duty, licences and trade rules in India

Methyl tert-butyl ether is an ether having methyl and tert-butyl as the two alkyl components. 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 2909 19 20). DGFT policy: import Free, export Free.

No ban or licence needed. Normal trade rules apply; handle as its safety advice says.

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

Run the live check Open in Compound Workspace Search RasayanXchange

Key facts

CAS number	1634-04-4
Formula	C5H12O
Also called	Methyl tert-butyl ether, MTBE, 2-Methoxy-2-methylpropane, Methyl t-butyl ether
Tariff item (HS)	2909 19 20
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

Every answer, with its source

Rules in IndiaOK

No special Indian ban or licence found

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 2909 19 20: Free, so no import licence is needed under trade policy.

Source: CIB&RC pesticide lists · CDSCO new drug approvals · NDPS RCS Order 2013 · DGFT ITC(HS) 2022, Schedule 1 Import Policy

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 2909 19 20: 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 603-181-00-X): Flam. Liq. 2, Skin Irrit. 2. 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 2909 19 20: Methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE).

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

SafetyCHECK

Dangerous: handle with proper protection

Catches fire easily
Irritates skin, eyes or breathing
Highly flammable liquid and vapor
Causes skin irritation
Always read the supplier’s safety data sheet (SDS) before handling.

Source: PubChem GHS classification

Storage, transport & PESOOK

Flammable liquid: store away from heat and sparks

Flash point about -25.6 °C (CAMEO Chemicals).
It is not a hydrocarbon, so the Petroleum Rules do not class it; storage still follows the state fire service’s rules and the factory licence.
Ships as UN 2398 (Flammable Liquid): dangerous-goods rules apply by road, sea (IMDG) and air (IATA), with labels, packaging and a transport document.

Source: UN numbers (CAMEO Chemicals, via PubChem) · PubChem flash point annotations

Price and suppliersNO DATA

Not on RasayanXchange yet

Post a requirement and we will find suppliers for you.

Source: RasayanXchange market data

Questions about tert-Butyl methyl ether

What is the import duty on tert-Butyl methyl ether in India?

The total import duty on tert-Butyl methyl ether is about 27.73% of the import value under tariff item 2909 19 20, including basic customs duty, the social welfare surcharge and IGST. Check the latest notifications before you import.

Is there anti-dumping duty on tert-Butyl methyl ether?

No anti-dumping duty on tert-Butyl methyl ether was found in the Customs (ADD) notifications in force.

What is the HS code (tariff item) of tert-Butyl methyl ether in India?

tert-Butyl methyl ether falls under tariff item 2909 19 20 of the Customs Tariff of India.

Is tert-Butyl methyl ether restricted or licensed in India?

No special Indian ban or licence found. 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 tert-Butyl methyl ether be imported freely into India?

Under DGFT's ITC(HS) import policy, tert-Butyl methyl ether is Free.

Does exporting tert-Butyl methyl ether from India need a licence?

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

Is tert-Butyl methyl ether hazardous?

Dangerous: handle with proper protection. Catches fire easily. Irritates skin, eyes or breathing. Highly flammable liquid and vapor.

Is tert-Butyl methyl ether 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.

Related chemicals

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