Other

Printed paper or paperboard labels, other types

PIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 4821 10 90 (Other printed paper or paperboard labels) 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 clearance requires a valid PIMS Registration Number entered on the bill of entry before customs out-of-charge.

What this is

HSN code

4821 10 90

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
Registration expiry declaration to CBIC

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 registration fee of ₹500 to obtain the automatic PIMS Registration Number, which remains valid for 75 days from grant.
DGFT Notification 11/2015-2020 dated 25-05-2022
2
Enter the PIMS Registration Number and its expiry date in the bill of entry at the time of filing. Multiple bills of entry for the permitted quantity are allowed under the same Registration Number within the 75-day validity period; any bill of entry filed after expiry must carry a fresh Registration Number.
DGFT Notification 11/2015-2020 dated 25-05-2022
3
If importing into a Special Economic Zone, Free Trade and Warehousing Zone, or as an Export Oriented Unit, obtain PIMS registration at the point of import into the zone. A DTA clearance from the SEZ/FTWZ/EOU does not require fresh PIMS registration unless processing has resulted in a change of 8-digit HS code to a tariff line covered under PIMS.
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 online portal closes the application window 5 days before the expected arrival date, and no retrospective registration is permitted. A consignment arriving without a current, unexpired Registration Number entered on the bill of entry is detained at the port of import pending fresh registration, accruing demurrage and ground rent that cannot be waived. The 75-day validity window is fixed; consignments delayed in transit must be covered by a registration whose expiry extends beyond actual arrival.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 4821 10 90 require BIS certification?

No, printed paper and paperboard labels are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime; no BIS QCO covers this product family. Import is governed by the Paper Import Monitoring System administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under DGFT Notification 11/2015-2020, with the tariff line classified as Free subject to compulsory PIMS registration.

What is the application window and validity period for a PIMS Registration Number?

An importer may apply from the 75th day down to the 5th day before the expected arrival date; the Registration Number is valid for 75 days from grant, and multiple bills of entry for the permitted quantity may be filed under a single registration within that window.

Does a DTA unit clearing paper goods from an SEZ or EOU need a separate PIMS registration?

Only if processing inside the SEZ, FTWZ, or EOU has changed the 8-digit HS code to a tariff line covered under PIMS; if the paper item clears DTA without any such processing, fresh PIMS registration is not required at that stage, per DGFT Policy Circular 41/2015-2020.

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