Unbleached

Unbleached kraft paper and paperboard, uncoated

PIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 4804 41 00 (Unbleached uncoated kraft paper and paperboard) is subject to compulsory registration under the Paper Import Monitoring System (PIMS) administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under DGFT Notification 11/2015-2020 dated 25-05-2022. The import policy is Free, but clearance requires a valid PIMS Registration Number entered on the bill of entry before customs out-of-charge.

What this is

HSN code

4804 41 00

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 declaration on bill of entry
ITC (HS) policy compliance from DGFT

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 under the Paper Import Monitoring System at https://imports.gov.in by paying the registration fee of ₹500 and submitting advance import information. Apply not earlier than the 75th day and not later than the 5th day before the expected date of arrival; the automatic Registration Number is valid for 75 days and covers multiple bills of entry within its validity period for the permitted quantity.
DGFT Notification 11/2015-2020 dated 25-05-2022 · ITC (HS) 2022, Chapter 48 policy condition
2
Enter the PIMS Registration Number and its expiry date in the bill of entry at the time of filing. Customs clearance will not be granted where the Registration Number is absent, expired, or the consignment quantity exceeds the permitted quantity under the registration.
DGFT Notification 11/2015-2020 dated 25-05-2022
3
If the import is by a unit in an SEZ, FTWZ, or EOU, obtain PIMS registration at the point of entry into the zone. A DTA unit clearing unprocessed paper from an SEZ/FTWZ/EOU does not require a fresh PIMS registration, but if processing in the zone has resulted in an 8-digit HS code change to a PIMS-covered tariff line, the DTA importer must register independently.
DGFT Policy Circular 41/2015-2020 dated 05-07-2022 · DGFT Policy Circular 45/2015-2020 dated 23-01-2023

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is misreading the 75-day application window: importers who apply too early (before the 75th day prior to expected arrival) or too late (after the 5th day prior) receive no registration, and the consignment arrives without a valid number, triggering detention at the port of import. The 75-day validity also catches importers who reuse a registration number across shipments that arrive after the expiry date — each such clearance is treated as a policy-condition breach.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 4804 41 00 require BIS certification?

No, unbleached uncoated kraft paper and paperboard is not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the Paper Import Monitoring System administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under DGFT Notification 11/2015-2020, with the import policy remaining Free subject to compulsory PIMS registration.

How long is a PIMS Registration Number valid, and can it cover multiple shipments?

The Registration Number is valid for 75 days from the date of grant. Multiple bills of entry are permitted under the same registration number within the validity period, provided the cumulative quantity does not exceed the permitted quantity registered.

Does a unit in an SEZ or EOU need to register under PIMS when importing kraft paper?

Yes — PIMS registration is required at the point of import into an SEZ, FTWZ, or EOU. A subsequent DTA clearance of the same unprocessed item is exempt, but if the paper has been processed in the zone and the 8-digit HS code has changed to another PIMS-covered line, the DTA importer must obtain a separate PIMS registration.

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