Other sacks and bags, including cones

Paper sacks, bags and cones for packaging

PIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 4819 40 00 (Other sacks and bags, including cones) 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, but the PIMS registration number and its expiry date must be entered on every bill of entry, failing which customs clearance is withheld.

What this is

HSN code

4819 40 00

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 declaration to CBIC
Registration expiry date from PIMS portal

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 portal at https://imports.gov.in not earlier than 75 days and not later than 5 days before the expected date of arrival. Pay the registration fee of ₹500 to obtain the automatic Registration Number, which is valid for 75 days. Multiple bills of entry may be filed under one registration number within the validity period for the permitted quantity.
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 out-of-charge will not be granted unless both fields are populated and the registration remains within its 75-day validity window.
DGFT Notification 11/2015-2020 dated 25-05-2022
3
If importing into a Special Economic Zone, Free Trade and Warehousing Zone, or Export Oriented Unit, note that PIMS registration is required at the point of entry. A DTA unit clearing unprocessed goods from an SEZ/FTWZ/EOU that were already registered under PIMS on entry does not require a fresh PIMS registration — but if the goods were processed with an 8-digit HS code change and the resulting product falls under a PIMS-covered tariff line, fresh DTA registration is mandatory.
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 late. The portal does not accept applications inside the 5-day pre-arrival window, meaning a consignment that arrives before registration is obtained has no lawful basis for clearance and will be detained — accruing demurrage and ground rent — until a fresh registration window opens for the next eligible period. Build the 75-day registration timeline into the purchase order and vessel-booking sequence, not the pre-clearance checklist.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 4819 40 00 require BIS certification?

No, paper sacks and bags under this tariff line are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed solely by the Paper Import Monitoring System administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under DGFT Notification 11/2015-2020, with an import policy status of Free subject to compulsory PIMS registration.

How long is a PIMS Registration Number valid, and can it cover multiple shipments?

The Registration Number is valid for 75 days from the date of issue. Multiple bills of entry are permitted under the same registration number within that validity period, provided the imported quantity does not exceed the permitted quantity declared at registration.

Does an EOU or SEZ unit need to register under PIMS for paper imported directly into the zone?

Yes. Per DGFT Policy Circular 41/2015-2020, PIMS registration is required at the point of import by an SEZ, FTWZ, or EOU unit; the exemption from fresh registration applies only to a DTA unit clearing unprocessed goods that were already registered at zone entry.

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