Other

Cigarette paper, other forms not elsewhere specified

PIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 4813 90 90 (Other cigarette paper) 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. Import policy is Free subject to PIMS registration, which requires advance online submission at imports.gov.in and payment of a ₹500 registration fee to obtain an automatic Registration Number valid for 75 days.

What this is

HSN code

4813 90 90

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 PIMS at https://imports.gov.in no earlier than the 75th day and no later than the 5th day before the expected date of arrival of the consignment. Pay the ₹500 registration fee to obtain the automatic Registration Number, which is valid for 75 days and may cover multiple bills of entry for the permitted quantity within that validity period.
DGFT Notification 11/2015-2020 dated 25-05-2022 · ITC (HS) 2022 Chapter 48 PIMS policy condition
2
Enter the PIMS Registration Number and its expiry date in the bill of entry at the time of filing. Failure to quote a valid, unexpired Registration Number prevents customs out-of-charge, and consignment detention and demurrage liability accrue from that point.
DGFT Notification 11/2015-2020 dated 25-05-2022
3
If importing into or clearing from an SEZ, FTWZ, or EOU, determine whether PIMS registration attaches at entry or at DTA clearance. PIMS registration is required at the point of import into SEZ/FTWZ/EOU; DTA clearance without re-registration is permitted only where no processing has occurred and the 8-digit HS code is unchanged. Where processing causes an HS-code change to a PIMS-covered tariff line, the DTA importer must register separately.
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 vessel's arrival date. The registration window closes on the 5th day before the expected arrival; applications filed after that cutoff are rejected, and the consignment cannot be cleared until a new registration is obtained for a subsequent shipment — the original consignment faces detention and accruing demurrage. Confirm the estimated date of arrival with the shipping line before applying, not after.

Need a regulatory steer on this product?

Speak to a regulatory counsel about your specific HSN, IS, and supplier situation.

Speak to an Expert

Frequently asked

Does HSN 4813 90 90 require BIS certification?

No, cigarette paper under this tariff line is not subject to 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.

Can one PIMS Registration Number cover multiple bills of entry?

Yes. Multiple bills of entry are permitted under a single Registration Number within the 75-day validity period, provided the cumulative quantity does not exceed the quantity registered. Each bill of entry must quote the Registration Number and expiry date.

Is PIMS registration required when an EOU or SEZ unit clears cigarette paper into the Domestic Tariff Area?

DTA clearance does not require fresh PIMS registration if the paper was already registered at the time of entry into the SEZ/FTWZ/EOU and no processing has occurred; however, if processing has changed the 8-digit HS code to a PIMS-covered line, the DTA importer must register under PIMS per DGFT Policy Circular 41/2015-2020.

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