Master positives, exposed negatives, dupes and rush prints as are not cleared for public exhibitions

Exposed developed cinematographic film not cleared for exhibition

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 3706 10 92 covers master positives, exposed negatives, dupes and rush prints of cinematographic film (35 mm or wider) that have not been cleared for public exhibition, and is subject to the ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under policy condition 1 of Chapter 37.

What this is

HSN code

3706 10 92

Chapter

37 · Photographic or cinematographic goods

Primary regulator

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

Customs documentation

Import Licence from DGFT
ITC (HS) policy compliance from DGFT

Compliance steps

1
Confirm that the import satisfies policy condition 1 of Chapter 37 of the ITC (HS) Schedule before filing the bill of entry. Cinematographic film master positives, exposed negatives, dupes and rush prints that have not been cleared for public exhibition are importable only under this restricted-import condition.
ITC (HS) policy condition 1 of Chapter 37
2
Obtain the requisite import authorisation or licence from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade and ensure the supporting DGFT documentation is uploaded in e-Sanchit prior to customs out-of-charge.
ITC (HS) policy condition 1 of Chapter 37 · Customs Act, 1962

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is misclassifying film material that has already received a public-exhibition clearance under this restricted sub-heading rather than the appropriate free-import sub-heading. The restriction applies specifically to film not cleared for public exhibition; consignments where exhibition clearance has been granted belong to a different CTI, and misdeclaration under 3706 10 92 can result in consignment detention and DGFT-policy enforcement.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 3706 10 92 require BIS certification?

No, no BIS Quality Control Order covers this product family. Import of exposed developed cinematographic film not cleared for public exhibition is governed by the ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy condition 1 of Chapter 37 administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

What distinguishes goods classifiable under HSN 3706 10 92 from freely importable cinematographic film?

The defining condition is that the film has not been cleared for public exhibition; master positives, exposed negatives, dupes and rush prints meeting that description fall under this Restricted sub-heading, while film cleared for exhibition is classified elsewhere under Chapter 37.

What happens if the DGFT import authorisation is not in place at the time of filing the bill of entry?

Without the required authorisation satisfying policy condition 1 of Chapter 37, the consignment is liable to be held by customs, attracting detention, demurrage and potential confiscation under the Customs Act, 1962.

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