Paperboard

Hand-made uncoated paperboard for writing or printing

PIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 4802 10 20 (Paperboard) is subject to compulsory registration under the Paper Import Monitoring System (PIMS) administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), operative from 1 October 2022 under DGFT Notification 11/2015-2020 dated 25-05-2022. Import policy is Free subject to PIMS registration, which requires advance submission of consignment information and payment of a registration fee of ₹500 to obtain an automatic Registration Number valid for 75 days.

What this is

HSN code

4802 10 20

Chapter

48 · Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp

Primary regulator

PIMS · ITC (HS) Free import policy subject to compulsory PIMS registration, Chapter 48

Customs documentation

PIMS Registration Number from DGFT
Registration expiry date on Bill of Entry
ITC (HS) policy compliance declaration

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

PIMSPIMS·Paper Import Monitoring System

Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

Compliance steps

1
Register on the PIMS portal at https://imports.gov.in not earlier than the 75th day and not later than the 5th day before the expected date of arrival. Pay the registration fee of ₹500 to obtain the automatic Registration Number, which is valid for 75 days and covers multiple Bills of Entry for the permitted quantity within that window.
DGFT Notification 11/2015-2020 dated 25-05-2022
2
Enter the PIMS Registration Number and its expiry date on the Bill of Entry before filing. Customs clearance of the consignment is conditional on this data entry; a missing or expired Registration Number will prevent out-of-charge.
DGFT Notification 11/2015-2020 dated 25-05-2022
3
If importing into an SEZ, FTWZ, or as an EOU, obtain PIMS registration at the point of entry into those zones. A DTA unit clearing the goods from an SEZ/FTWZ/EOU without processing need not re-register; however, if processing resulted in a change of 8-digit HS code and the processed item falls under a PIMS-covered tariff line, a fresh PIMS registration is required for the DTA clearance.
DGFT Policy Circular 41/2015-2020 dated 05-07-2022 · DGFT Policy Circular 45/2015-20 dated 23-01-2023

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is applying for PIMS registration too early or too late: the window opens on the 75th day and closes on the 5th day before expected arrival, and a registration obtained outside that window is invalid at the bill of entry stage, causing detention and demurrage while the importer re-registers. Additionally, importers operating through SEZ or EOU structures frequently assume PIMS does not apply at zone entry — it does, and failure to register at that stage constitutes a policy breach even if the goods are not yet entering the Domestic Tariff Area.

Need a regulatory steer on this product?

Speak to a regulatory counsel about your specific HSN, IS, and supplier situation.

Speak to an Expert

Frequently asked

Does HSN 4802 10 20 require BIS certification?

No, hand-made paperboard under this tariff line is not subject to any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the Paper Import Monitoring System administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under the ITC (HS) Free-subject-to-PIMS-registration policy, operative from 1 October 2022.

How long is the PIMS Registration Number valid, and can one registration cover multiple shipments?

The automatic Registration Number is valid for 75 days from grant, and multiple Bills of Entry are permitted under the same registration number within the validity period, subject to the permitted quantity ceiling approved at registration.

Does a DTA unit clearing processed paper from an SEZ need a separate PIMS registration?

Only if processing in the SEZ, FTWZ, or EOU resulted in a change at the 8-digit HS level and the processed item falls under a PIMS-covered tariff line; if no such processing occurred, re-registration at DTA clearance is not required per DGFT Policy Circular 41/2015-2020.

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