Geographical, hydrological, astronomical maps or charts

Printed geographical, hydrological and astronomical maps or charts

PARTNER GOVERNMENT AGENCY CLEARANCE

HSN 4905 90 10 (Geographical, hydrological, astronomical maps or charts) is governed at the border primarily by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the ITC (HS) import policy of Chapter 49. A categorical prohibition on obscene printed matter applies under Customs Notification No. 01/1964-Cus dated 18-01-1964, which customs officers apply independently of any licence.

What this is

HSN code

4905 90 10

Chapter

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

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) import policy, Chapter 49

Customs documentation

Import declaration from CBIC
Content compliance declaration from importer

Compliance steps

1
Ensure no consignment of printed maps, charts, or related printed articles contains obscene representations, drawings, paintings, figures, or content of a prohibited nature. Import of any obscene book, pamphlet, paper, drawing, painting, representation, figure, or article is categorically prohibited.
Customs Notification No. 01/1964-Cus dated 18-01-1964
2
File the bill of entry with a content-compliance declaration confirming the printed matter does not fall within the categories prohibited under Notification No. 01/1964-Cus. The proper officer may inspect the consignment to verify compliance before out-of-charge.
Customs Notification No. 01/1964-Cus dated 18-01-1964

A word of counsel

The most common compliance failure on this tariff line is underestimating the breadth of the obscenity prohibition under Notification No. 01/1964-Cus: the bar extends beyond overtly pornographic material to any representation, figure, or article that the proper officer determines falls within the prohibited category. Consignments detained under this notification are liable to confiscation, and the importer bears the burden of demonstrating the material does not meet the prohibited description.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 4905 90 10 require BIS certification?

No, printed geographical, hydrological, and astronomical maps are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, with the absolute prohibition on obscene printed matter under Customs Notification No. 01/1964-Cus as the operative customs-border control.

What content restriction applies to printed maps and charts at the Indian border?

Customs Notification No. 01/1964-Cus dated 18-01-1964 prohibits import of any obscene book, pamphlet, paper, drawing, painting, representation, figure, or article; printed maps or charts containing such content are liable to confiscation at the port of entry.

Is there a separate DGFT licence required for importing printed geographical maps?

The ITC (HS) policy for Chapter 49 does not impose a specific import licence on this tariff line beyond the content prohibition; the operative control is the absolute prohibition under Notification No. 01/1964-Cus, which is enforced by the customs proper officer at the bill of entry stage.

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