Pamphlets, booklets, brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter

Pamphlets, booklets, brochures, leaflets in single sheets

PARTNER GOVERNMENT AGENCY CLEARANCE

HSN 4901 10 20 (Pamphlets, booklets, brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter) is subject to an absolute prohibition on obscene printed matter under Notification No. 01/1964-CUS dated 18-01-1964, enforced by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) at the bill of entry. No sectoral Partner Government Agency licence applies to standard non-obscene printed matter in this tariff line.

What this is

HSN code

4901 10 20

Chapter

49 · Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other products of the printing industry; manuscripts

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) import policy, Chapter 49 (prohibition on obscene printed matter)

Customs documentation

Content compliance declaration from importer
Import entry from CBIC

Compliance steps

1
Verify that no item in the consignment constitutes an obscene book, pamphlet, paper, drawing, painting, representation, figure or article as defined under the prohibition. Import of any such material is absolutely prohibited and attracts confiscation under Notification No. 01/1964-CUS dated 18-01-1964.
Notification No. 01/1964-CUS dated 18-01-1964
2
File the bill of entry with a content-compliance declaration confirming the printed matter is not obscene. Customs may inspect the consignment prior to out-of-charge; detained consignments found to contain prohibited material are liable to confiscation and monetary penalty under the Customs Act, 1962.
Notification No. 01/1964-CUS dated 18-01-1964 · Customs Act, 1962

A word of counsel

The prohibition under Notification No. 01/1964-CUS is content-based, not format-based: a pamphlet or brochure that would otherwise clear customs freely becomes prohibited goods the moment it contains obscene representation, irrespective of its declared commercial purpose. Importers of promotional or educational printed matter sourced from jurisdictions with different community standards should conduct a pre-shipment content review; confiscation is the mandatory outcome on a positive finding and re-export is not guaranteed as an alternative.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 4901 10 20 require BIS certification?

No, printed pamphlets and brochures are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. The operative restriction on this tariff line is the absolute prohibition on obscene printed matter under Notification No. 01/1964-CUS dated 18-01-1964, enforced by CBIC at the port of import.

What documents must be uploaded in e-Sanchit for this tariff line?

The CCR does not specify dedicated e-Sanchit document codes for standard non-obscene printed matter; the bill of entry itself, together with a content-compliance declaration, constitutes the mandatory customs documentation at present.

What is the consequence if a consignment contains material found to be obscene?

The consignment is liable to outright confiscation under Notification No. 01/1964-CUS; this is a prohibited-goods determination, and the importer also faces monetary penalty and potential criminal liability under the Customs Act, 1962.

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