Certified as predominantly educational by the Central Board of Film Certification

Educational cinematographic film, 35 mm or wider

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 3706 10 61 (cinematographic film certified as predominantly educational by the Central Board of Film Certification) is subject to the Restricted-import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under ITC (HS) policy condition 1 of Chapter 37. Import is permitted only where the Central Board of Film Certification has certified the film as predominantly educational.

What this is

HSN code

3706 10 61

Chapter

37 · Photographic or cinematographic goods

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) Restricted import policy, Chapter 37, condition 1

Customs documentation

CBFC educational certification from CBFC
Import declaration from DGFT

Compliance steps

1
Obtain certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) confirming the film is predominantly educational before the bill of entry is filed. This certification is the operative document establishing eligibility under ITC (HS) policy condition 1 of Chapter 37.
ITC (HS) import policy condition 1 of Chapter 37
2
File the bill of entry with the CBFC educational certification uploaded in e-Sanchit and the ITC (HS) policy condition 1 compliance declaration. Absence of the CBFC certificate at the bill-of-entry stage will result in the consignment being treated as a Restricted import without authorisation.
ITC (HS) import policy condition 1 of Chapter 37

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is filing the bill of entry before the CBFC educational certification has been formally issued and uploaded. The Restricted-import status under ITC (HS) policy condition 1 of Chapter 37 means that absent a current CBFC certification, customs will treat the consignment as an unauthorised Restricted import, exposing the importer to detention and potential confiscation under the Customs Act, 1962.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 3706 10 61 require BIS certification?

No, exposed and developed cinematographic film is not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed exclusively by the ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, with eligibility conditioned on CBFC educational certification under policy condition 1 of Chapter 37.

What triggers the Restricted-import status for this tariff line?

The tariff line is Restricted under ITC (HS) policy condition 1 of Chapter 37; import is permitted only when the Central Board of Film Certification has certified the film as predominantly educational, and that certification must accompany the bill of entry.

Does film that has not received CBFC educational certification qualify under this HSN?

No. Film that has not been certified as predominantly educational by the CBFC does not qualify under HSN 3706 10 61 and would be classifiable under a different tariff line, with a correspondingly different import-policy status.

Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-16. Source: DGFT / Indian Customs CUSDATA.