Felt paper and paperboard

Felt paper and paperboard for import monitoring

PIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 4805 50 00 (Felt 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 entry is conditional on obtaining a PIMS Registration Number and quoting it on the bill of entry before customs out-of-charge.

What this is

HSN code

4805 50 00

Chapter

48 · Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp

Primary regulator

PIMS · ITC (HS) Free policy subject to compulsory PIMS registration, Chapter 48

Customs documentation

PIMS Registration Number from DGFT
Registration expiry date on Bill of Entry
ITC (HS) policy compliance declaration

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
Apply for a PIMS Registration Number at https://imports.gov.in not earlier than the 75th day and not later than the 5th day before the expected date of arrival. Pay the registration fee of ₹500; the automatic Registration Number is valid for 75 days and permits multiple bills of entry for the permitted quantity within that validity window.
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 before filing. Customs clearance of the consignment requires these fields to be populated; a bill of entry filed on or after 01-10-2022 without a valid Registration Number is non-compliant under the PIMS regime.
DGFT Notification 11/2015-2020 dated 25-05-2022
3
If importing into an SEZ, FTWZ, or EOU, obtain PIMS registration at the point of import into that unit. A DTA unit clearing unprocessed goods from an SEZ/FTWZ/EOU where PIMS registration was already obtained need not re-register, but if processing has occurred with an 8-digit HS code change to a PIMS-covered tariff line, fresh PIMS registration is required.
DGFT Policy Circular 41/2015-2020 dated 05-07-2022 · DGFT Policy Circular 45/2015-20 dated 23-01-2023

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is applying for PIMS registration too close to the consignment's arrival date. The application window closes on the 5th day before expected arrival, and a Registration Number issued after that threshold cannot be used to clear the incoming consignment — detention and demurrage accrue until a fresh registration covering the rescheduled arrival date is obtained. Build the 75-day application window into the purchase-order timeline, not the shipment timeline.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 4805 50 00 require BIS certification?

No, felt paper and paperboard is not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the Paper Import Monitoring System administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under DGFT Notification 11/2015-2020, with import policy classified as Free subject to compulsory PIMS registration.

How long is a PIMS Registration Number valid, and can it cover more than one bill of entry?

The Registration Number is valid for 75 days from the date of issue. Multiple bills of entry are permitted under the same Registration Number within the validity period, provided they do not exceed the permitted quantity registered.

Does an EOU or SEZ unit need to obtain PIMS registration for felt paper imported under this HSN?

Yes. PIMS registration is required at the point of import by an SEZ, FTWZ, or EOU unit; however, a DTA unit clearing unprocessed paper from those units need not re-register if no 8-digit HS code change has occurred, per DGFT Policy Circular 41/2015-2020.

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