Articles of apparel and clothing accessories

Paper-based apparel and clothing accessories (shoe covers, dental bibs)

HSN 4818 50 00 (articles of apparel and clothing accessories of paper pulp, paper, cellulose wadding or webs of cellulose fibres) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 17349:2020 for medical-textile shoe covers and IS 17354:2020 for medical-textile dental bibs or napkins is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 01 April 2024, under the Medical Textiles Quality Control Order Second Amendment 2025. Paper Import Monitoring System registration administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade applies as a separate customs-clearance overlay.

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

1. 1
   Verify the foreign manufacturer holds a current BIS CM/L licence against IS 17349:2020 for medical-textile shoe covers or IS 17354:2020 for medical-textile dental bibs or napkins. Confirm the licensed product scope and manufacturing facility address on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order.
   Medical Textiles Quality Control Order Second Amendment 2025 · S.O. 4634(E) dated 23-10-2024; S.O. 04(E) dated 01-01-2025; S.O. 3526(E) dated 30-07-2025
2. 2
   Ensure each article bears the ISI mark and the supplier's CM/L number under Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. The standard mark must appear on the product itself; packaging-only marking does not satisfy the requirement.
   Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · Medical Textiles Quality Control Order Second Amendment 2025
3. 3
   Register the consignment on the Paper Import Monitoring System portal no earlier than 75 days and no later than 5 days before the expected date of arrival. Registration fee is ₹500; the automatic registration number is valid for 75 days and covers multiple bills of entry within that period for the permitted quantity.
   DGFT Notification 11/2015-2020 dated 25-05-2022 · ITC (HS) 2022 Chapter 48 policy condition
4. 4
   Quote the BIS CM/L number and the PIMS registration number with its expiry date on the bill of entry. Customs verifies both in real time; an absent, expired, or scope-mismatched CM/L triggers consignment detention, and an absent or expired PIMS registration number prevents customs clearance independently.
   DGFT Notification 11/2015-2020 dated 25-05-2022 · BIS Act, 2016 · Customs Act, 1962
5. 5
   If the goods enter or exit a Special Economic Zone, Free Trade and Warehousing Zone, or Export-Oriented Unit, determine whether PIMS registration is required at the point of SEZ/FTWZ/EOU entry or at the subsequent DTA clearance stage. Processing that results in a change of 8-digit HS code triggers a fresh PIMS registration at the DTA clearance stage.
   DGFT Policy Circular 41/2015-2020 dated 05-07-2022 · DGFT Policy Circular 45/2015-20 dated 23-01-2023