Documents of title conveying the right to use Information Technology software

Documents of title for information technology software

PARTNER GOVERNMENT AGENCY CLEARANCE

HSN 4907 00 30 (Documents of title conveying the right to use Information Technology software) is subject to mandatory certification compliance under the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017 and the Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment (MTCTE) framework administered by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). Importers must ensure conformance with DoT notifications issued by the Telecommunications Engineering Centre (TEC) covering the notified list of telecom products requiring mandatory certification at the bill-of-entry stage.

What this is

HSN code

4907 00 30

Chapter

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

Primary regulator

DoT · Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017 (MTCTE framework)

Customs documentation

MTCTE certification from DoT/TEC
Compliance declaration from importer

Compliance steps

1
Verify that the telecom product or software-licence document falls within the notified list of telecom products subject to mandatory certification under the MTCTE framework. Confirm the applicable DoT/TEC certification is current before filing the bill of entry.
Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017 · DoT Notification TEC/01/2017-TC dated 04-07-2019 and dated 23-06-2020 · F.No.5-2/2021-TC/TEC/131 dated 13-06-2022 · F.No.5-2/2024-TC/TEC (Pt.1) dated 25-02-2025
2
Upload all mandatory MTCTE certification documentation in e-Sanchit at the bill of entry stage. Non-compliance with the MTCTE mandatory certification requirement renders the consignment liable to detention and denial of out-of-charge by the proper officer.
Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017 · DoT/TEC notifications as amended vide F.No.5-2/2024-TC/TEC (Pt.1) dated 25-02-2025

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is assuming that because the physical article is a document of title rather than hardware, the MTCTE certification requirement does not apply. Where the document conveys the right to use software embedded in or interoperating with a notified telecom product, DoT/TEC treats the import as within the MTCTE scope; failure to produce a valid MTCTE certificate results in consignment detention and potential confiscation under the Indian Telegraph Act.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 4907 00 30 require BIS certification?

No, no BIS Quality Control Order covers documents of title for IT software. Import is instead governed by the Department of Telecommunications MTCTE mandatory certification framework under the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017, as amended by TEC notifications most recently dated 25-02-2025.

Which DoT/TEC notifications define the current list of products requiring MTCTE certification?

The notified list is defined under DoT Notification TEC/01/2017-TC (issued 04-07-2019 and 23-06-2020) as amended by F.No.5-2/2021-TC/TEC/131 dated 13-06-2022 and F.No.5-2/2024-TC/TEC (Pt.1) dated 25-02-2025; importers should verify against the latest TEC notification before each shipment.

Does the MTCTE certification requirement apply even when the imported article is a paper-based software licence document rather than hardware?

Where the document of title conveys rights over software or equipment that falls within the notified MTCTE product categories, DoT/TEC compliance obligations attach to the import; importers should confirm product scope against the current TEC-notified list before filing the bill of entry.

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