Currency note paper

Currency note paper, watermark bank note paper

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 4802 56 60 (Currency note paper) is classified as Restricted under the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), with import permitted exclusively by designated Government of India note-printing presses under Policy Condition 1 of Chapter 48. Authorised importers — Currency Note Press Nasik, Bank Note Press Dewas (both SPMCIL units), and Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Ltd units in Mysore, Salboni and Bangalore — may import without an Import Licence, subject to submission of a certificate of import from the head of the respective unit and an actual-user condition.

What this is

HSN code

4802 56 60

Chapter

48 · Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) Restricted import policy, Policy Condition 1 of Chapter 48

Customs documentation

Certificate of import from GOI unit head
Actual-user condition declaration from DGFT
ITC (HS) policy compliance from DGFT

Compliance steps

1
Confirm the importing entity is one of the five authorised note-printing presses (Currency Note Press Nasik, Bank Note Press Dewas, or BRBNMPL units at Mysore, Salboni or Bangalore) before placing the purchase order. Any import by an entity outside this closed list requires a DGFT Import Licence and will be stopped at the bill-of-entry stage as a Restricted-import violation.
DGFT Notification 13/2015-20 dated 12-07-2021 · Policy Condition 1 of Chapter 48 of ITC (HS)
2
Obtain a certificate of import signed by the head of the importing unit and ensure the consignment is covered by an actual-user condition. Both documents must be available for customs verification before out-of-charge; absence of either triggers detention and referral to DGFT for regularisation.
DGFT Notification 13/2015-20 dated 12-07-2021 · Policy Condition 1 of Chapter 48 of ITC (HS)

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is assuming that SPMCIL or BRBNMPL entity status alone is sufficient — the actual-user condition is a separate, ongoing obligation that ties the imported watermark bank note paper to the authorised press's own production. Any diversion of imported paper outside the authorised printing facility, even within the same corporate group, converts the import into an unauthorised Restricted-policy transaction, exposing the unit head to DGFT enforcement and potential confiscation of the diverted stock.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 4802 56 60 require BIS certification?

No, no BIS Quality Control Order covers currency note paper. Import is governed solely by the ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, permitting licence-free import only by the five designated Government of India note-printing presses under Policy Condition 1 of Chapter 48.

Can a private paper manufacturer import watermark bank note paper under this HSN?

No. The licence-free carve-out is limited to the five named note-printing presses of the Government of India; any other importer must obtain a DGFT Import Licence, which is not routinely granted for this tariff line given its security-sensitive Restricted status.

What happens if the certificate of import from the unit head is not available at the time of customs examination?

The consignment will be detained at the port of entry as a Restricted-import compliance failure; out-of-charge will not be granted until the certificate is produced, and prolonged detention attracts demurrage and ground rent charges at the custodian's tariff.

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