Made wholly in black and white and of a length not exceeding 4,000 m

Black and white cinematographic film up to 4,000 m

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 3706 90 11 (exposed and developed black-and-white cinematographic film not exceeding 4,000 m) is governed by the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), with import permitted subject to policy condition 1 of Chapter 37.

What this is

HSN code

3706 90 11

Chapter

37 · Photographic or cinematographic goods

Primary regulator

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

Customs documentation

ITC (HS) policy compliance from DGFT
Bill of entry declaration to CBIC

Compliance steps

1
Confirm that the import satisfies ITC (HS) policy condition 1 of Chapter 37 before filing the bill of entry. The tariff line is permitted subject to that condition, and any non-compliance renders the consignment liable to detention at the port of import.
ITC (HS) import policy condition 1 of Chapter 37
2
Declare compliance with the applicable Chapter 37 policy condition on the bill of entry and retain supporting documentation for post-clearance audit by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs.
ITC (HS) import policy, Chapter 37 · Customs Act, 1962

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is treating the 'permitted' status as unconditional free import and omitting explicit reference to ITC (HS) policy condition 1 of Chapter 37 on the bill of entry declaration. Customs out-of-charge can be withheld where the policy-condition endorsement is absent, exposing the consignment to ground rent and demurrage while documentation is rectified.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 3706 90 11 require BIS certification?

No, exposed and developed cinematographic film is not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, subject to policy condition 1 of Chapter 37.

Is import of this film freely permitted or is a separate DGFT licence required?

Import is permitted — not free — under ITC (HS) policy condition 1 of Chapter 37; the condition must be satisfied and endorsed on the bill of entry, but no separate import licence is cited in the applicable policy.

Does the 4,000 m length limit affect classification, and what happens if the reel exceeds that length?

Yes, the 4,000 m ceiling is a classification parameter specific to HSN 3706 90 11; film exceeding that length falls under a different sub-heading of heading 3706 and the applicable ITC (HS) policy conditions of that sub-heading would apply instead.

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