Advertising calendar

Printed advertising calendars and calendar blocks

PARTNER GOVERNMENT AGENCY CLEARANCE

HSN 4910 00 10 (Advertising calendar) is governed by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) import policy under the ITC (HS) schedule, with no dedicated sectoral PGA licence requirement. Import is, however, subject to an absolute prohibition under Customs Notification No. 01/1964-CUS dated 18-01-1964 on any printed material that is obscene — a condition that applies at the bill of entry regardless of the commercial nature of the calendar.

What this is

HSN code

4910 00 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

Customs declaration from importer
Content compliance declaration from importer

Compliance steps

1
Verify that the advertising calendars to be imported contain no obscene image, drawing, painting, representation, figure, or article. Import of any obscene printed matter is absolutely prohibited under Customs Notification No. 01/1964-CUS dated 18-01-1964; consignments containing prohibited content are liable to confiscation and may attract criminal liability.
Customs Notification No. 01/1964-CUS dated 18-01-1964
2
File the bill of entry under HSN 4910 00 10 and include a self-declaration confirming the printed content complies with the obscenity prohibition. The proper officer may inspect the physical goods or a specimen copy before granting out-of-charge.
Customs Notification No. 01/1964-CUS dated 18-01-1964

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is treating advertising calendars as generic printed stationery and filing the bill of entry without any content-compliance declaration. A customs proper officer retains authority under Notification No. 01/1964-CUS to detain and confiscate any printed article deemed obscene, and there is no post-arrival rectification pathway — confiscated goods cannot be re-exported on discretionary grounds once a prohibition finding is made.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 4910 00 10 require BIS certification?

No, printed advertising calendars are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, subject to the absolute prohibition on obscene printed matter under Customs Notification No. 01/1964-CUS dated 18-01-1964.

What constitutes a prohibited calendar under Notification No. 01/1964-CUS?

The notification prohibits import of any obscene book, pamphlet, paper, drawing, painting, representation, figure, or article; advertising calendars bearing imagery or text falling within that description are confiscable at the port of entry.

Is there any licence or permit that can authorise import of otherwise prohibited calendar content?

No. The prohibition under Notification No. 01/1964-CUS is absolute and no DGFT licence or PGA NOC overrides it; the only compliant path is to ensure the goods do not contain obscene content before shipment.

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