Greeting or wedding cards

Printed greeting, wedding and announcement cards

CPCB CLEARANCE

HSN 4909 00 10 (Greeting or wedding cards) is subject to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) registration and Extended Producer Responsibility obligations under the Plastic Waste Management Rules as amended by G.S.R. 571(E) dated 12-08-2021, G.S.R. 133(E) dated 16-02-2022, and G.S.R. 807(E) dated 30-10-2023. Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) Instruction 09/2022-Cus applies as a customs overlay governing Single Use Plastic prohibitions and carry-bag micron thresholds. Import of obscene printed matter is prohibited under Notification No. 01/1964-CUS dated 18-01-1964.

What this is

HSN code

4909 00 10

Chapter

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

Primary regulator

CPCB · Plastic Waste Management Rules (as amended 2021, 2022, 2023)

Customs documentation

CPCB portal registration from CPCB
EPR compliance declaration from importer
Obscene-matter prohibition clearance from CBIC

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

CPCBCPCB·Central Pollution Control Board

Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs.

Compliance steps

1
Register on the CPCB centralised portal as an importer of products with plastic packaging before filing the bill of entry. Rule 6 of the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022 mandates this registration for importers of plastic packaging, carry bags, multi-layered packaging, or plastic sheets used in or around the product.
Rule 6, Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022 · G.S.R. 133(E) dated 16-02-2022 · CBIC Instruction 09/2022-Cus dated 22-06-2022
2
Ensure that any plastic packaging or wrapping accompanying the greeting or wedding cards complies with the Single Use Plastic prohibition in force from 01-07-2022: wrapping or packing films around invitation cards are explicitly listed as prohibited SUP commodities. Carry bags must meet the 120-micron minimum thickness requirement effective 31-12-2022.
Rule 4(2)(b) and Rule 4(1)(c), Plastic Waste Management Rules · G.S.R. 571(E) dated 12-08-2021 · Plastic Waste Management (Second Amendment) Rules, 2023 · G.S.R. 807(E) dated 30-10-2023
3
Discharge Extended Producer Responsibility obligations under Rule 7.3 of the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022 covering plastic packaging used with the consignment. Separately, confirm the printed content does not fall within the obscene-matter prohibition under Notification No. 01/1964-CUS dated 18-01-1964, which renders such articles liable to outright confiscation.
Rule 7.3, Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022 · Notification No. 01/1964-CUS dated 18-01-1964

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is assuming that the plastic-packaging obligations are irrelevant because the primary product is printed paper. Wrapping or packing films around invitation cards are explicitly named as prohibited Single Use Plastic commodities under Rule 4(2)(b) of the Plastic Waste Management Rules — importers who arrive without CPCB portal registration and without removing or substituting SUP packaging face consignment detention and ground rent, regardless of the card content itself. The compostable-plastic carve-out under Rule 4(3) applies only where the commodity is demonstrably made of compostable plastic; ordinary cellophane or PVC wrap does not qualify.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 4909 00 10 require BIS certification?

No, printed greeting and wedding cards are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by Central Pollution Control Board registration and Extended Producer Responsibility obligations under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, with a customs-level prohibition on obscene printed matter under Notification No. 01/1964-CUS.

What plastic packaging specifications apply to cards imported under this tariff line?

Wrapping or packing films around invitation cards are prohibited Single Use Plastic items from 01-07-2022 under Rule 4(2)(b); carry bags supplied with the cards must be at least 120 microns thick from 31-12-2022 under Rule 4(1)(c), per G.S.R. 571(E) and G.S.R. 807(E).

Does the compostable-plastic exemption remove the SUP prohibition for card packaging?

Only where the packaging is demonstrably made of compostable plastic as defined under Rule 4(3) of the Plastic Waste Management Rules; standard plastic or PVC wrapping films used around invitation cards remain prohibited without exception.

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