Tablecloths and serviettes

Paper tablecloths and serviettes of cellulose fibres

PIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 4818 30 00 (Tablecloths and serviettes) 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 under Chapter 48 of the ITC (HS) 2022. Import policy is Free subject to PIMS registration, requiring advance submission of an online application and payment of a ₹500 registration fee to obtain an automatic Registration Number before the consignment arrives.

What this is

HSN code

4818 30 00

Chapter

48 · Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp

Primary regulator

PIMS · ITC (HS) 2022 Chapter 48 policy condition, DGFT Notification 11/2015-2020 dated 25-05-2022

Customs documentation

PIMS Registration Number from DGFT
Bill of Entry with PIMS 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 on the PIMS online portal at https://imports.gov.in no earlier than the 75th day and no later than the 5th day before the expected date of arrival. Pay the ₹500 registration fee; the automatic Registration Number issued remains valid for 75 days and covers multiple bills of entry for the permitted quantity within that 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 at the time of filing. Customs clearance and out-of-charge cannot be granted without these two fields populated correctly.
DGFT Notification 11/2015-2020 dated 25-05-2022
3
If importing as an SEZ, FTWZ, or EOU unit, obtain PIMS registration at the point of import into the zone. A DTA unit clearing unprocessed paper from an SEZ/FTWZ/EOU that was already PIMS-registered on entry does not require fresh registration; however, if processing in the zone has resulted in an 8-digit HS code change to a PIMS-covered tariff line, the DTA importer must register independently.
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 single most common error on this tariff line is misjudging the registration window: importers who apply on the day of shipment or on arrival find the 5-day pre-arrival deadline already closed, rendering the bill of entry non-clearable until a fresh registration is obtained and the consignment sits in detention accumulating demurrage and ground rent. Plan the PIMS application against the vessel's expected arrival date, not the bill of lading date — the 75-day outer limit is not a comfort zone but the outer boundary of how far in advance the system will accept the application.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 4818 30 00 require BIS certification?

No, paper tablecloths and serviettes are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the compulsory registration requirement under the Paper Import Monitoring System administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, as a policy condition under Chapter 48 of the ITC (HS) 2022.

Can one PIMS Registration Number cover multiple bills of entry for the same consignment?

Yes. Multiple bills of entry are permitted under the same Registration Number within its 75-day validity period, provided the total quantity does not exceed the quantity registered; the Registration Number and expiry date must be quoted on each bill of entry.

Is PIMS registration required for an EOU importing tablecloths and serviettes for use in production?

Yes. Per DGFT Policy Circular 41/2015-2020 dated 05-07-2022, PIMS registration is required at the point of import by an EOU of any item covered under the PIMS tariff lines, including HSN 4818 30 00.

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