Paper tags

Printed paper tags and paperboard labels

PIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 4821 10 10 (Paper tags) 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, covering 201 tariff lines in Chapter 48 of the ITC (HS) 2022. Import policy is Free subject to PIMS registration, and the Registration Number and its expiry date must be entered on the bill of entry for customs clearance.

What this is

HSN code

4821 10 10

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 with registration expiry date
Policy compliance declaration from DGFT

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 a PIMS registration on the online portal at https://imports.gov.in, paying the registration fee of ₹500, no earlier than the 75th day and no later than the 5th day before the expected date of arrival. The automatic Registration Number is valid for 75 days, and multiple bills of entry are permitted under the same 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 on the bill of entry before filing. Customs will not grant out-of-charge if the Registration Number is absent or has expired on the date of bill of entry.
DGFT Notification 11/2015-2020 dated 25-05-2022
3
If importing into an SEZ, FTWZ, or as an EOU, obtain PIMS registration at the point of import into those units. No fresh PIMS registration is required for subsequent clearance from the SEZ/FTWZ/EOU to the DTA, provided no processing has occurred that changes the 8-digit HS code; if the HS code changes, DTA registration is mandatory if the processed item falls under a PIMS-covered tariff line.
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 error most frequently seen on this tariff line is filing the bill of entry without a live PIMS Registration Number — either because the application was submitted too late (inside the 5-day exclusion window) or because the 75-day validity had already lapsed before the vessel arrived. The registration window is narrow by design: applications submitted earlier than 75 days before expected arrival are not accepted, while applications submitted fewer than 5 days before arrival are also rejected; missing either boundary results in consignment detention and demurrage at port pending a fresh registration cycle.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 4821 10 10 require BIS certification?

No, printed paper tags fall outside the BIS Quality Control Order regime; no BIS QCO covers this product family. Import is governed by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade's Paper Import Monitoring System under DGFT Notification 11/2015-2020, with the ITC (HS) policy condition of Free import subject to compulsory PIMS registration.

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

The PIMS Registration Number is valid for 75 days from grant, and multiple bills of entry are permitted under the same registration number within that validity period, subject to the permitted quantity ceiling specified at registration.

Does an EOU or SEZ unit need a separate PIMS registration when clearing paper tags into the DTA?

No separate DTA registration is needed if the paper tags enter the DTA in the same HS-code form as registered at the SEZ/FTWZ/EOU entry point; however, if processing in the unit results in an 8-digit HS code change and the resultant product falls under a PIMS-covered tariff line, the DTA importer must obtain a fresh PIMS registration per DGFT Policy Circular 41/2015-2020.

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