Unused postage, revenue or similar stamps of current or new issue in the country in which they have, or will have, a recognized face value

Unused postage, revenue or similar stamps of current issue

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 4907 00 10 (Unused postage, revenue or similar stamps) is classified as Restricted under the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). Import is not freely permitted and requires compliance with the applicable ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy condition before a bill of entry may be filed.

What this is

HSN code

4907 00 10

Chapter

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

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) Restricted import policy, Chapter 49

Customs documentation

Import Licence from DGFT
ITC (HS) policy compliance declaration

Compliance steps

1
Verify and secure the applicable authorisation or licence required under the ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy for Chapter 49 before placing a purchase order. Import without a valid authorisation renders the consignment liable to detention and confiscation at the port of entry.
ITC (HS) Import Policy, Chapter 49 — Restricted status
2
At the time of filing the bill of entry, upload the DGFT authorisation and all supporting documents in e-Sanchit and declare compliance with the Restricted-import policy condition. The proper officer will verify document currency before granting out-of-charge.
ITC (HS) Import Policy, Chapter 49 — Restricted status

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is treating currency-like security documents — postage stamps with a recognised face value — as ordinary printed matter eligible for free import. The Restricted status under the ITC (HS) policy is absolute: a consignment arriving without the requisite DGFT authorisation is liable to seizure and confiscation under the Customs Act, 1962, regardless of the declared commercial or philatelic purpose of the import.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 4907 00 10 require BIS certification?

No, unused postage and revenue stamps are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed solely by the ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, which requires a valid authorisation before import is permitted.

Does the Restricted status apply to philatelic or collectible stamps as well as current-issue face-value stamps?

The tariff line 4907 00 10 covers unused stamps of current or new issue that have, or will have, a recognised face value; the Restricted-import policy applies to the CTI as classified, and importers should seek a specific ruling from DGFT where the purpose or face-value status is unclear.

What happens if a consignment of stamps arrives without the DGFT authorisation?

A consignment classified under HSN 4907 00 10 that arrives without the requisite Restricted-import authorisation is liable to detention at the port, and the customs proper officer may initiate confiscation proceedings under the Customs Act, 1962.

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