Labels

Paper or paperboard labels, other printed labels

PIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 4821 90 10 (Labels) is subject to compulsory registration under the Paper Import Monitoring System (PIMS) administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under Chapter 48 of the ITC (HS) 2022, as notified vide DGFT Notification 11/2015-2020 dated 25-05-2022. Import policy is Free subject to obtaining an automatic PIMS Registration Number before the expected date of arrival, with the registration fee of ₹500 payable through the online portal at imports.gov.in.

What this is

HSN code

4821 90 10

Chapter

48 · Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp

Primary regulator

PIMS · ITC (HS) compulsory registration, Chapter 48 (DGFT Notification 11/2015-2020)

Customs documentation

PIMS Registration Number from DGFT
Bill of Entry with PIMS registration details
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
Apply for a PIMS Registration Number through the online portal at 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. Pay the registration fee of ₹500; the automatic Registration Number is valid for 75 days from grant.
DGFT Notification 11/2015-2020 dated 25-05-2022 · Chapter 48, ITC (HS) 2022
2
Enter the PIMS Registration Number and its expiry date in the bill of entry before filing. Multiple bills of entry are permitted under the same Registration Number within the validity period, subject to the permitted quantity; customs clearance is conditional on this entry.
DGFT Notification 11/2015-2020 dated 25-05-2022
3
For imports by SEZ, FTWZ, or EOU units, register under PIMS at the point of entry into the zone. A DTA unit clearing unprocessed paper from an SEZ/FTWZ/EOU that was already registered under PIMS does not require a fresh registration; however, if processing has resulted in a change in the 8-digit HS code and the processed item falls under a PIMS-covered tariff line, the DTA importer must obtain a separate PIMS registration.
DGFT Policy Circular 41/2015-2020 dated 05-07-2022 · DGFT Policy Circular 45/2015-2020 dated 23-01-2023

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is misreading the 75-day application window as a 75-day advance requirement: the window opens on day 75 and closes on day 5 before the expected arrival date, leaving a narrow corridor. An application filed outside this window — whether too early or too late — will not generate a valid Registration Number, and a bill of entry filed without a current PIMS Registration Number and expiry date will be detained at customs. The ₹500 registration fee and the portal registration at imports.gov.in must both be completed within this window.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 4821 90 10 require BIS certification?

No, paper and paperboard labels under this tariff line are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by compulsory registration under the Paper Import Monitoring System administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under Chapter 48 of the ITC (HS) 2022.

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

The Registration Number is valid for 75 days from the date of grant; multiple bills of entry are permitted under the same Registration Number within that validity period, subject to the permitted quantity declared at registration.

Does an EOU importing paper labels under HSN 4821 90 10 need PIMS registration?

Yes. Per DGFT Policy Circular 41/2015-2020, PIMS registration is required at the time of import by an EOU; the exemption from fresh registration applies only to a DTA unit clearing unprocessed PIMS-registered paper from an SEZ/FTWZ/EOU where no change in the 8-digit HS code has occurred.

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