Paper for security printing, currency paper, stamp paper

Security printing paper, currency paper, stamp paper

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 4802 58 50 (Paper for security printing, currency paper, stamp paper) is subject to the Restricted-import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under ITC (HS) Policy Conditions 1 and 3 of Chapter 48. Import without a licence is permitted exclusively for designated Government of India note-printing presses — 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 — subject to an actual-user condition and a certificate of import from the head of unit.

What this is

HSN code

4802 58 50

Chapter

48 · Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) Restricted import policy, Chapter 48 Policy Conditions 1 and 3

Customs documentation

Import Licence from DGFT
Head-of-unit certificate from SPMCIL or BRBNMPL
Actual-user condition declaration to CBIC

Compliance steps

1
Unless the importer is one of the five notified GOI note-printing presses (Currency Note Press Nasik, Bank Note Press Dewas, or BRBNMPL units at Mysore, Salboni, Bangalore), obtain a standard DGFT Import Licence before filing the bill of entry. No other importer may bring in security printing paper, currency paper, or stamp paper under this CTI without a licence.
ITC (HS) Policy Condition 1 of Chapter 48 · DGFT Notification 13/2015-20 dated 12-07-2021
2
Notified SPMCIL and BRBNMPL presses importing watermark bank note paper without a licence must submit a certificate of import signed by the head of the unit at the bill-of-entry stage and comply with the actual-user condition — the paper may not be diverted to any other use or entity.
DGFT Notification 13/2015-20 dated 12-07-2021 · ITC (HS) Policy Condition 1 of Chapter 48
3
Ensure compliance with ITC (HS) Policy Condition 3 of Chapter 48, which governs security printing paper specifically. Verify that the consignment description precisely matches the licensed or exempted category; a description mismatch between the bill of entry and the head-of-unit certificate will attract Restricted-import enforcement.
ITC (HS) Policy Condition 3 of Chapter 48

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is assuming that all SPMCIL-affiliated procurement is automatically licence-exempt. The licence-free window under DGFT Notification 13/2015-20 is limited to watermark bank note paper imported by the five named press units and is conditional on both a head-of-unit certificate and strict actual-user compliance; security printing paper and stamp paper imported by or on behalf of any other entity — including state government security presses — remains fully Restricted and requires a DGFT Import Licence. Diversion of actual-user imports into the open market attracts confiscation and monetary penalty under the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992.

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 58 50 require BIS certification?

No, no BIS Quality Control Order covers security printing paper, currency paper, or stamp paper. Import is governed exclusively by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under the ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy, with licence exemptions available only to the five named GOI note-printing press units under DGFT Notification 13/2015-20 dated 12-07-2021.

Can a private paper mill or trading house import under the licence-free route for note-printing presses?

No. The licence-free route is limited to the five notified GOI presses — Currency Note Press Nasik, Bank Note Press Dewas, and the three BRBNMPL units — and is subject to the actual-user condition; any other importer must hold a DGFT Import Licence.

What is the consequence if imported security printing paper is diverted from its declared actual use?

Diversion converts the original import into an unauthorised Restricted-policy breach, exposing the importer to confiscation of the goods, retrospective import-licence recovery, and monetary penalty under the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992.

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