Tracing papers

Tracing papers in rolls or sheets

PIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 4806 30 00 (Tracing papers) 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 under ITC (HS) 2022 is Free subject to PIMS registration, requiring advance online registration at imports.gov.in and entry of the Registration Number and its expiry date on the bill of entry before customs clearance.

What this is

HSN code

4806 30 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
Bill of Entry with registration expiry date
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
Register under the Paper Import Monitoring System at imports.gov.in by paying the registration fee of ₹500 and obtaining an automatic Registration Number. Apply no earlier than the 75th day and no later than the 5th day before the expected date of arrival of the consignment; the Registration Number is valid for 75 days.
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 on the bill of entry at the time of filing. Multiple bills of entry are permitted against a single Registration Number within the validity period, provided the cumulative quantity does not exceed the permitted quantity under that registration.
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 entry into that unit. A DTA unit taking clearance from an SEZ/FTWZ/EOU need not separately register under PIMS only if the paper has not been processed and the 8-digit HS code remains unchanged; any processing resulting in an 8-digit HS code change requires fresh PIMS registration by the DTA importer if the processed item falls under a PIMS-covered tariff line.
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 — or after — the consignment's arrival date. The application window closes on the 5th day before expected arrival, and a consignment reaching port without a valid, pre-obtained Registration Number on the bill of entry will be detained pending regularisation, attracting demurrage and ground rent. The 75-day validity window is equally an expiry trap: a Registration Number obtained well in advance may lapse before the vessel arrives if the shipment is delayed.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 4806 30 00 require BIS certification?

No, tracing papers are 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 the import policy being Free subject to compulsory PIMS registration.

How long is the PIMS Registration Number valid, and can one registration cover multiple shipments?

The Registration Number is valid for 75 days from the date of grant; multiple bills of entry are permitted within the validity period for the permitted quantity under a single registration, per DGFT Notification 11/2015-2020 dated 25-05-2022.

Does a DTA unit clearing PIMS-covered paper from an SEZ or EOU need to obtain a fresh PIMS registration?

Only if processing has taken place in the SEZ/FTWZ/EOU resulting in a change at the 8-digit HS level and the processed item falls under a PIMS-covered tariff line; if the paper is cleared without processing and the HS code is unchanged, fresh PIMS registration is not required, per DGFT Policy Circular 41/2015-2020.

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