Paper for security printing, currency paper, stamp paper

Security printing paper, currency paper, stamp paper

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 4802 62 60 (Paper for security printing, currency paper, stamp paper) is classified as Restricted under the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), with import subject to Policy Conditions 1 and 3 of Chapter 48. Watermark bank note paper may be imported without an Import Licence exclusively by the 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 — against a head-of-unit certificate and an actual-user condition.

What this is

HSN code

4802 62 60

Chapter

48 · Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp

Primary regulator

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

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 designated GOI Note Printing Presses (Currency Note Press Nasik, Bank Note Press Dewas, or BRBNMPL units in Mysore, Salboni or Bangalore), obtain a DGFT Import Licence before filing the bill of entry. The tariff line is Restricted under the ITC (HS) policy; all other importers have no licence-free channel.
ITC (HS) Policy Condition 1 of Chapter 48 · DGFT Notification 13/2015-20 dated 12-07-2021
2
If importing as a designated GOI Note Printing Press, submit a certificate of import signed by the head of the unit together with a formal actual-user undertaking at the bill-of-entry stage. These documents substitute for the Import Licence and must be available for customs verification before out-of-charge.
DGFT Notification 13/2015-20 dated 12-07-2021 · ITC (HS) Policy Condition 1 of Chapter 48
3
Confirm that security printing paper (other than watermark bank note paper) satisfies ITC (HS) Policy Condition 3 of Chapter 48 before importation. Conditions 1 and 3 operate separately; a consignment compliant with Condition 1 must still meet any additional restriction imposed by Condition 3.
ITC (HS) Policy Condition 3 of Chapter 48

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is assuming that the actual-user exemption available to designated Note Printing Presses extends to their contractors, vendors, or affiliated paper-testing entities. The exemption is facility-specific and head-of-unit-certified; any entity not explicitly listed in DGFT Notification 13/2015-20 must hold a regular DGFT Import Licence, and consignments arriving without one are liable to detention and confiscation under the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 4802 62 60 require BIS certification?

No, security printing paper and currency paper are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under the ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy, with Policy Conditions 1 and 3 of Chapter 48 as the operative requirements.

Which entities may import watermark bank note paper without a DGFT Import Licence?

Only the five designated GOI Note Printing Presses — Currency Note Press Nasik, Bank Note Press Dewas (both SPMCIL units), and BRBNMPL units in Mysore, Salboni and Bangalore — may import without a licence, subject to a head-of-unit certificate and actual-user condition per DGFT Notification 13/2015-20 dated 12-07-2021.

Does Policy Condition 3 of Chapter 48 apply independently of the licence exemption under Policy Condition 1?

Yes. Policy Conditions 1 and 3 of Chapter 48 are separate requirements; compliance with the Condition 1 licence-exemption route for watermark bank note paper does not waive any additional restriction imposed by Condition 3 on security printing paper.

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