Paper for security printing, currency paper, stamp paper

Security printing paper, currency paper, stamp paper

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 4802 69 60 (Paper for security printing, currency paper, stamp paper) is governed by the ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under Policy Conditions 1 and 3 of Chapter 48. Watermark Bank Note paper may be imported without an Import Licence exclusively by the Government of India's designated 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 actual-user conditions.

What this is

HSN code

4802 69 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
Certificate of import from unit head
Actual-user condition declaration to CBIC

Compliance steps

1
Obtain a DGFT Import Licence before filing the bill of entry, unless the importer is one of the five GOI Note Printing Press units (Currency Note Press Nasik, Bank Note Press Dewas, or the three BRBNMPL units). All other importers require a formal Import Licence under the Restricted-import policy of ITC (HS) Chapter 48.
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 unit, submit a certificate of import signed by the head of the unit along with an actual-user condition undertaking. Both documents must be presented at the bill-of-entry stage and uploaded in e-Sanchit before customs out-of-charge.
DGFT Notification 13/2015-20 dated 12-07-2021 · ITC (HS) Policy Condition 1 of Chapter 48
3
Verify compliance with ITC (HS) Policy Condition 3 of Chapter 48 for security printing paper imports. This condition is separate from the Watermark Bank Note paper carve-out and governs the broader security printing paper category.
ITC (HS) Policy Condition 3 of Chapter 48

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is conflating the Watermark Bank Note paper carve-out with a general exemption from the Restricted-import classification. The licence-free route is available solely to the five named GOI printing press units and is conditional on submission of the unit-head certificate and the actual-user undertaking; any other importer — including government-affiliated entities not explicitly listed — must hold a DGFT Import Licence before the consignment arrives at port, or face detention and Restricted-import enforcement under the ITC (HS) policy.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 4802 69 60 require BIS certification?

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

Which entities may import Watermark Bank Note paper without a DGFT Import Licence?

Only the five GOI Note Printing Press units — Currency Note Press Nasik, Bank Note Press Dewas (both SPMCIL), and Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Ltd units in Mysore, Salboni and Bangalore — may do so, subject to a unit-head certificate and actual-user condition per DGFT Notification 13/2015-20 dated 12-07-2021.

Does the actual-user condition restrict onward sale or transfer of the imported paper?

Yes. The actual-user condition means the imported Watermark Bank Note paper must be consumed by the importing unit itself; diversion to any third party or into the open market breaches the licence-free carve-out and triggers Restricted-import enforcement under the ITC (HS) policy.

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