Other

Other paper and paperboard stationery articles

PIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 4820 90 90 (Other articles of stationery of paper or paperboard) 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, which revised the import policy for 201 tariff lines under Chapter 48 from Free to Free subject to PIMS registration. Importers must obtain an automatic Registration Number via the PIMS portal before the consignment arrives and quote it on the bill of entry for customs clearance.

What this is

HSN code

4820 90 90

Chapter

48 · Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp

Primary regulator

PIMS · ITC (HS) Free import policy subject to PIMS registration, Chapter 48

Customs documentation

PIMS Registration Number from DGFT
Registration expiry declaration to CBIC
Bill of entry with PIMS reference

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 no earlier than the 75th day and no later than the 5th day before the expected date of arrival of the consignment, paying the registration fee of ₹500. The automatic Registration Number issued is valid for 75 days, and multiple bills of entry may be filed against a single registration number within that 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 will not grant out-of-charge clearance where the Registration Number is absent, expired, or where the quantity on the bill of entry exceeds the registered quantity.
DGFT Notification 11/2015-2020 dated 25-05-2022
3
If importing into or clearing from a Special Economic Zone, Free Trade and Warehousing Zone, or Export Oriented Unit, confirm whether PIMS registration is required at that stage. Registration is required at the point of import into an SEZ/FTWZ/EOU; clearance from SEZ/FTWZ/EOU to the Domestic Tariff Area does not require fresh PIMS registration provided no processing with an 8-digit HS code change has occurred.
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 window closes on the 5th day before the expected date of arrival, not the date of filing. A consignment arriving before registration is obtained, or after the 75-day validity has lapsed, cannot be cleared and will attract port detention, demurrage, and ground rent while the importer seeks fresh registration. Note also that if goods enter an SEZ and undergo processing that changes the 8-digit HS code to another PIMS-covered line, the DTA importer will require a separate PIMS registration.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 4820 90 90 require BIS certification?

No; no BIS Quality Control Order covers paper and paperboard stationery articles under this tariff line. Import is governed by the Paper Import Monitoring System under DGFT Notification 11/2015-2020, with the import policy classified as Free subject to compulsory PIMS registration.

How long is a PIMS Registration Number valid, and can multiple shipments use the same registration?

A PIMS Registration Number is valid for 75 days from issuance. Multiple bills of entry may be filed against the same registration number within that validity period, provided the cumulative quantity does not exceed the registered quantity.

Is PIMS registration required when an EOU or SEZ unit imports this HSN for in-house processing?

Yes; per DGFT Policy Circular 41/2015-2020, PIMS registration is required at the point of import into an SEZ, FTWZ, or EOU. A separate DTA registration is required only if the processed output carries a different 8-digit HS code that itself falls within the PIMS-covered tariff lines.

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