CUSTOMS BROKERS · EST. 1949Discuss a shipment “Chemical” is not a sufficient description.
A clear chemical identity, specification and intended use help the reviewing parties understand the cargo. Different substances can carry different customs, regulatory and handling considerations. Treat each product on its own facts.
Get the technical information in early.
The documentation review should happen before the cargo reaches the port.
- Exact commercial and technical product identity
- Composition and supplier specifications where relevant
- Current safety data sheet where applicable
- Invoice, packing information and bill of lading
- Applicable permissions and handling information
- Confirmation of tanker, ISO tank or other container format
The transport format matters.
A parcel on a bulk tanker, a chemical in an ISO tank and packaged goods inside a container have different operating interfaces. State the actual transport format when requesting a review. Tank, terminal and handling suitability must be confirmed with the respective provider.
Coordinate the appropriate permissions.
Tariff classification, hazard-related information and product-specific permissions need distinct consideration. This page does not prescribe a single procedure for all chemicals. Motumal supports the review and customs coordination while relevant authorities and handling providers make their respective decisions.
PRODUCT INTELLIGENCE / BEFORE ARRIVAL
Types of liquid chemicals: identify the substance before the shipment
Start with the exact chemical or formulation, then its grade, concentration and physical form. Each solvent, glycol, acid or formulated input needs a product-specific review of classification evidence, permissions and operating suitability. Use these enquiry families to assemble the right information; Motumal confirms the scope for the actual cargo.
What an SDS can contribute to a chemical import review
| SDS section | Information to compare | Question to resolve |
|---|---|---|
| 1 — Identification | Product identifier and supplier | Does this SDS belong to the invoiced product? |
| 2 and 3 — Hazards / composition | Declared hazards, ingredients and concentration information | Is it a substance, solution or mixture? |
| 9 — Physical and chemical properties | Properties and stated conditions | Does the technical record match the supplied grade and form? |
| 14 — Transport information | Mode-specific transport particulars where given | Have the relevant carrier and operator confirmed the actual movement? |
| 15 — Regulatory information | Regulatory information supplied for the product | Which Indian requirements still need a current, separate review? |
An SDS supports product identification and communication. It does not assign an Indian customs tariff heading, grant import permission or replace confirmation by the carrier and facility. UNECE GHS is the technical background for this section map, not an India-specific import approval. UNECE — Globally Harmonized System ↗
TYPE 01
Aromatic hydrocarbon solvents
Toluene · xylenes · aromatic solvent mixtures
Distinguish a named substance, an isomer mixture and a broader aromatic solvent blend. “Aromatic solvent” alone does not tell the reviewer which components or concentration ranges are present.
What to confirm
- Exact chemical name, CAS identifier where appropriate, purity or component record.
- Current SDS, specification and batch analysis; retain the producer’s precise mixture description.
Discrepancy to resolveThe invoice names toluene but the SDS identifies a multi-component aromatic blend. Obtain the correct product identity and matching record.
Back to product types ↑TYPE 02
Aliphatic and dearomatised hydrocarbon solvents
Hexane / heptane descriptions · mineral spirits · hydrocarbon solvent cuts
A named hydrocarbon and a commercial solvent cut are different descriptions. For a mixture, request the supplier’s composition information and boiling-range specification rather than assigning one compound’s identity to the whole product.
What to confirm
- Single-substance versus mixture declaration and exact supplier product code.
- Relevant composition, distillation or other specification evidence, plus SDS and COA for the actual grade.
Discrepancy to resolveA purchasing shorthand such as “hexane” is used for a mixed hydrocarbon product. Clarify the supplier’s actual identity before classification and transport review.
Back to product types ↑TYPE 03
Alcohols
Methanol · ethanol · isopropyl alcohol / IPA · butanols
Record the specific alcohol, isomer where relevant, concentration and whether it is denatured or formulated. A technical-grade solvent and a product sold with a special purity claim need evidence for their respective grades; “alcohol” is insufficient.
What to confirm
- Chemical identity, concentration/purity, water content specification and any denaturant or other component.
- Declared use, grade-specific TDS, current SDS and batch COA; review applicable permissions separately.
Discrepancy to resolveThe invoice describes neat alcohol while the formulation includes water and denaturants. Establish the supplied composition before preparing the entry.
Back to product types ↑TYPE 04
Ketone solvents
Acetone · MEK / 2-butanone · MIBK
Acetone, methyl ethyl ketone and methyl isobutyl ketone are different chemical identities. Expand abbreviations and match the identity across documents rather than treating “ketone solvent” as the complete description.
What to confirm
- Full name, identifier where appropriate and producer product code.
- Purity and grade specification, batch COA and SDS; identify any blend instead of describing it as the neat substance.
Discrepancy to resolveMEK appears on the invoice but MIBK appears on the technical attachment. Obtain a supplier correction rather than assuming the acronyms are equivalent.
Back to product types ↑TYPE 05
Glycols
MEG · DEG · TEG · propylene glycol
Monoethylene glycol, diethylene glycol and triethylene glycol are distinct substances. Propylene glycol is another identity. Keep a neat glycol, an aqueous solution and a formulated product separate, with the claimed industrial or other grade supported by supplier evidence.
What to confirm
- Full chemical name behind the abbreviation, grade and concentration.
- TDS, SDS and batch COA; intended use and evidence for any special-grade claim.
Discrepancy to resolveThe BL says glycol, the invoice says MEG and the COA says DEG. Resolve the specific substance with the supplier before the file advances.
Back to product types ↑TYPE 06
Glycol ethers and glycol ether acetates
Butyl glycol · propylene glycol ethers · glycol ether acetate grades
The glycol family, ether identity and any acetate derivative matter. Trade names and short codes can obscure these distinctions. Ask the manufacturer to expand the product name and identify the supplied material rather than inferring it from a familiar suffix.
What to confirm
- Exact name, isomer or mixture information where relevant and supplier product code.
- Composition, current SDS and specification tied to the invoiced grade.
Discrepancy to resolveAn attachment describes a glycol ether acetate while the invoice names its parent ether. Confirm which product was actually shipped.
Back to product types ↑TYPE 07
Ester and acetate solvents
Ethyl acetate · n-butyl acetate · other declared ester solvents
An acetate solvent is not the same material as acetic acid. Identify the actual ester and grade; if the cargo is a solvent blend, obtain the component information rather than naming only the best-known ingredient.
What to confirm
- Chemical or mixture identity, purity/concentration and supplier grade.
- SDS, batch COA and technical specification matched to the invoice and transport record.
Discrepancy to resolveThe invoice shortens the product to “acetate” while the SDS describes a specific ester blend. Replace the ambiguous description with supported product facts.
Back to product types ↑TYPE 08
Acids and alkali solutions
Acetic acid · phosphoric acid · caustic soda solution enquiries
Concentration and physical form belong in the identity record. A solution, a concentrated product and a solid form should not share one generic description. State the named substance and the basis on which the concentration is expressed.
What to confirm
- Chemical identity, concentration with its basis, grade and physical form.
- Current SDS, specification and batch COA; acceptance by the proposed carrier and receiving facility for the actual product.
Discrepancy to resolveOne record describes a percentage solution and another a different concentration or solid form. Obtain a reconciled specification and shipment description.
Back to product types ↑TYPE 09
Amines and alkanolamines
Monoethanolamine / MEA · diethanolamine / DEA · triethanolamine / TEA
MEA, DEA and TEA are separate product identities. A commercial blend or a solution needs its own composition record; a family label such as ethanolamine cannot explain every component or grade.
What to confirm
- Expanded chemical name, supplier grade, concentration and component information.
- Batch COA, SDS and intended use, with any special specification clearly identified.
Discrepancy to resolveThe order says TEA but the supplied specification describes a mixed alkanolamine product. Confirm the composition and how the producer identifies that grade.
Back to product types ↑TYPE 10
Surfactants and surface-active preparations
Anionic surfactants · nonionic surfactants · formulated cleaning inputs
Establish the active chemistry and supplied concentration, including water or solvent where present. A prepared surfactant blend may need a fuller description than an individual ingredient or a trade name.
What to confirm
- Product composition, active-content basis, physical form and intended use.
- SDS and TDS for the exact grade; distinguish a raw component from a formulated preparation.
Discrepancy to resolveThe invoice describes a neat active substance while the product sheet describes a diluted preparation. Resolve the supplied form and concentration.
Back to product types ↑TYPE 11
Plasticisers, resin systems and formulated inputs
Declared plasticiser grades · liquid resin systems · industrial formulations
These are enquiry groups, not one chemical identity. Identify each component or prepared product, its intended function and whether it contains a carrier or solvent. A two-part resin system needs each supplied part accounted for in the commercial and technical file.
What to confirm
- Exact product and formulation identity, component record and grade-specific literature.
- Separate SDS and quantities for each supplied component; product-specific scope, permissions and facility review.
Discrepancy to resolveA two-component system is invoiced as a single “resin” line with one SDS. Request the component-wise description, quantities and technical records.
Back to product types ↑The chemical identity pack to request before dispatch
- Full chemical name or formulation identity, trade name, manufacturer, product code and CAS identifiers where appropriate. A mixture may need several identifiers or a broader composition record.
- Current product-matched SDS with revision date; TDS and batch COA where available. Ask the supplier to resolve incomplete or conflicting identity information.
- Concentration/purity, composition, physical form, intended use and the evidence for any special-grade claim.
- Invoice and transport description, origin, quantities and units, plus package, tank-container or bulk-parcel particulars.
- Product-specific Indian import-policy and regulatory review, then separate carrier, terminal and receiving-facility acceptance. Do not infer these decisions from a chemical family name.
Connect the product to the port
Discuss sea-cargo movements at Mumbai Port, JNPT / Nhava Sheva and Hazira. At Dighi, our scope is liquid cargo only. Cargo mode, product suitability, terminal acceptance and receiving arrangements need confirmation for the actual consignment.
Discuss the product and shipment ↗Technical references and next steps
Technical sources checked 29 October 2026. Manufacturer references explain product terminology and distinctions. Review current Indian requirements against the actual consignment.
- Shell — oxygenated solvent families and specifications ↗
- Shell — aromatic hydrocarbon solvents ↗
- Shell — aliphatic solvent cuts ↗
- Dow — solvent and glycol product families ↗
- Dow — MEA, DEA and TEA product terminology ↗
- Dow — anionic and nonionic surfactants ↗
- BASF — MEG, DEG and TEG distinctions ↗
- UNECE — GHS and safety data sheet framework ↗
- DGFT — Indian foreign trade and product-policy reference ↗
Questions before shipment
Are MEG, DEG and TEG interchangeable customs descriptions?
No. Monoethylene glycol, diethylene glycol and triethylene glycol are distinct chemical identities. Expand the abbreviation and reconcile the invoice, SDS, specification and COA for the actual supplied product.
Does an SDS determine the HS code or import permission?
No. An SDS supplies useful identity, composition, hazard and transport information. Indian tariff classification, import policy, permissions and operator acceptance require their own current review.
What changes when a chemical is supplied as a solution or mixture?
The component record, concentration, concentration basis and physical form become part of the product description. Supply the current SDS and specification for that exact formulation rather than a sheet for a neat ingredient.
Can I enquire about chemicals in bulk tankers, ISO tanks or packages?
Yes. Share the exact product and transport format. The customs file, carrier requirements and terminal or receiving acceptance are separate matters. At Dighi, Motumal’s service scope is liquid cargo only.
Do all chemicals need the same permissions?
No. Requirements vary with the substance, composition, use, shipment and current rules.
Is an SDS useful for customs preparation?
Where applicable, the supplier’s safety data sheet helps establish the product identity and handling considerations. It complements commercial and other required documents.
Does Motumal handle containers as well as liquid bulk?
Yes. Share the chemical and transport format so the team can confirm the appropriate service and operating arrangements.