Posters, printed

Printed posters, trade advertising material

PARTNER GOVERNMENT AGENCY CLEARANCE

HSN 4911 10 10 (Posters, printed) is governed at import by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the ITC (HS) import policy for printed matter. A categorical prohibition under Customs Notification No. 01/1964-CUS dated 18-01-1964 bars import of any obscene book, pamphlet, paper, drawing, painting, representation, figure, or article — a prohibition that applies directly to printed posters carrying obscene content.

What this is

HSN code

4911 10 10

Chapter

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

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) import policy, Chapter 49 — prohibition on obscene printed matter

Customs documentation

Import declaration from DGFT
Content compliance declaration from importer

Compliance steps

1
Verify that the printed posters do not contain obscene content before filing the bill of entry. Import of any obscene book, pamphlet, paper, drawing, painting, representation, figure, or article is categorically prohibited; consignments containing such material are liable to outright confiscation at the port of import.
Customs Notification No. 01/1964-CUS dated 18-01-1964
2
File the bill of entry with a self-declaration confirming the imported posters are trade advertising material or commercial catalogues within the scope of HSN 4911 10 10 and are free of prohibited obscene content. Retain supporting evidence — samples, catalogue proofs, or pre-shipment prints — for customs examination.
Customs Notification No. 01/1964-CUS dated 18-01-1964 · ITC (HS) import policy, Chapter 49

A word of counsel

The prohibition under Notification No. 01/1964-CUS is content-based, not format-based: a consignment of advertising posters that are commercially routine in the country of export may still attract confiscation if the customs proper officer determines the content meets the obscenity threshold under Indian law. Importers should obtain pre-shipment content review and retain print proofs; after confiscation is ordered the goods cannot be re-exported without a separate customs order, and demurrage and ground rent accrue from the date of detention.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 4911 10 10 require BIS certification?

No, printed posters fall outside the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, with the operative restriction being the categorical prohibition on obscene printed matter under Customs Notification No. 01/1964-CUS.

What documents must be uploaded in e-Sanchit for this tariff line?

No PGA-specific document codes are prescribed in the CCR for this tariff line; the binding obligation is a content-compliance self-declaration on the bill of entry confirming the posters are non-obscene trade advertising material within the scope of HSN 4911 10 10.

What is the consequence if a consignment of printed posters is found to contain obscene material?

Confiscation without right of redemption is the stated outcome under Customs Notification No. 01/1964-CUS; demurrage, ground rent, and potential prosecution under applicable Indian law accrue from the date the consignment is detained by the proper officer.

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