Duplicating paper, cut to size

Self-copy duplicating paper, cut to size

PIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 4816 20 10 (Duplicating paper, cut to size) is subject to compulsory registration under the Paper Import Monitoring System (PIMS) administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), as a policy condition on the otherwise Free import status under Chapter 48 of the ITC (HS) 2022. Importers must obtain an automatic PIMS Registration Number via the online portal at imports.gov.in by paying a registration fee of ₹500, and must enter the Registration Number and its expiry date in the bill of entry to obtain customs clearance.

What this is

HSN code

4816 20 10

Chapter

48 · Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp

Primary regulator

PIMS · ITC (HS) 2022 Chapter 48 policy condition — compulsory PIMS registration

Customs documentation

PIMS Registration Number from DGFT
Bill of Entry declaration to CBIC
Registration expiry date endorsement

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 PIMS registration at imports.gov.in not earlier than the 75th day and not later than the 5th day before the expected date of arrival of the consignment. Pay the registration fee of ₹500 to receive the automatic Registration Number, which is valid for 75 days and covers multiple bills of entry for the permitted quantity within that 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. Customs clearance will not proceed without these entries; omission results in consignment detention at the port of import.
DGFT Notification 11/2015-2020 dated 25-05-2022
3
If importing into a SEZ, FTWZ, or as an EOU, obtain PIMS registration at the point of import into the unit. A DTA unit receiving unprocessed paper already registered under PIMS from the SEZ/FTWZ/EOU is exempt from re-registration; however, if processing in the SEZ/FTWZ/EOU results in a change at the 8-digit HS level and the processed item falls under a PIMS-covered tariff line, the DTA importer must independently register under PIMS.
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 applying for PIMS registration too late — submission within the 5-day pre-arrival window is out of time, and PIMS will not issue the Registration Number in time for the bill of entry, resulting in detention and accruing demurrage. The 75-day validity window is generous, but the application must be lodged between the 75th and 6th day before the expected arrival date; a consignment that arrives with an expired or missing Registration Number cannot be cleared until a fresh registration is obtained, and there is no grace period.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 4816 20 10 require BIS certification?

No. No BIS Quality Control Order covers self-copy or duplicating paper. Import is governed by the compulsory Paper Import Monitoring System registration requirement under the ITC (HS) 2022 Chapter 48 policy condition administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

Can one PIMS Registration Number cover multiple bills of entry?

Yes, multiple bills of entry are permitted under the same Registration Number within the 75-day validity period, provided the total import quantity does not exceed the permitted quantity registered under PIMS.

Is PIMS registration required for imports into SEZs and EOUs?

Yes — PIMS registration must be obtained at the point of import into a SEZ, FTWZ, or EOU. A DTA unit clearing unprocessed goods from those zones is exempt from re-registration, but if the goods have been processed with a change at the 8-digit HS level and the output falls under a PIMS-covered tariff line, fresh DTA-level registration is required per DGFT Policy Circular 41/2015-2020.

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