Other

Carbon paper, self-copy and other copying or transfer papers

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · IS 14490 · PIMS OVERLAY

HSN 4809 90 00 (carbon paper, self-copy paper and other copying or transfer papers) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 14490:2018 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 04 December 2020, by virtue of the Plain Copier Paper (Quality Control) Order, 2020. Paper Import Monitoring System (PIMS) registration administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade applies as a separate customs-clearance overlay.

What this is

HSN code

4809 90 00

Chapter

48 · Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 14490:2018 · effective 04-12-2020

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

BISBIS·Bureau of Indian Standards

PIMSPIMS·Paper Import Monitoring System

Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

Compliance steps

1
Source only from a Bureau of Indian Standards CM/L-licensed manufacturer holding a current licence against IS 14490:2018. Verify the supplier's CM/L number, licensed product scope, and manufacturing facility on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order.
Plain Copier Paper (Quality Control) Order, 2020 · S.O. 2149(E) dated 05-06-2020 · IS 14490:2018
2
Ensure every consignment bears the ISI Standard Mark and the supplier's CM/L number per Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Marking must appear on the product or its immediate packaging as prescribed under the licence.
Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · Plain Copier Paper (Quality Control) Order, 2020
3
Register the consignment on the Paper Import Monitoring System portal not earlier than the 75th day and not later than the 5th day before the expected date of arrival. Fee ₹500; the automatic registration number remains valid for 75 days. Multiple bills of entry are permitted within one registration for the permitted quantity.
DGFT Notification 11/2015-2020 dated 25-05-2022 · Chapter 48 policy condition, ITC (HS) 2022
4
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number and the PIMS registration number, along with its expiry date, on the bill of entry. Customs verifies both independently; either absent, expired, or scope-mismatched triggers consignment detention.
DGFT Notification 11/2015-2020 dated 25-05-2022 · BIS Act, 2016 · Customs Act, 1962
5
For SEZ, FTWZ, or EOU clearances, confirm whether PIMS registration was obtained at the time of original import. A DTA unit clearing unprocessed paper from an SEZ/FTWZ/EOU does not require a fresh PIMS registration; a change in 8-digit HS code after processing requires re-registration 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 treating IS 14490:2018 as confined to standard A4 cut-sheet copier paper, when the QCO under S.O. 2149(E) extends to CB, CFB and CF grades of carbonless copy paper used in multipart business forms, continuous stationery, and invoices. Importers sourcing speciality carbonless paper from manufacturers whose CM/L scope covers only standard-weight grades — without confirming that the specific CB/CFB/CF coating grade and substance specification falls within the licensed scope — risk detention and re-export of the entire consignment even where the supplier holds a valid CM/L number.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 4809 90 00 require BIS certification?

Yes. Conformity to IS 14490:2018 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme from 04 December 2020 by virtue of the Plain Copier Paper (Quality Control) Order, 2020; import is permitted only from manufacturers holding a current BIS CM/L licence covering the relevant paper grade and specification.

Is PIMS registration required separately from BIS QCO compliance?

Yes. Paper Import Monitoring System registration is administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under DGFT Notification 11/2015-2020 and is independent of the BIS QCO obligation. Fee ₹500, validity 75 days, apply between the 75th and 5th day before expected arrival.

Do PIMS carve-outs for SEZ and EOU units also waive the BIS QCO requirement?

No. The PIMS clarifications under DGFT Policy Circular 41/2015-2020 govern only the PIMS registration obligation; the BIS QCO requirement under IS 14490:2018 and the ISI Mark Scheme applies regardless of SEZ, FTWZ, or EOU status.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all grades of carbonless copy paper from the same manufacturer?

No. The CM/L is scope-specific by paper grade (CB, CFB, CF), substance, and manufacturing facility; grades or specifications outside the licensed scope, or from an unlicensed plant, are not covered and attract detention at the port of import.

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