Commercial catalogues

Commercial catalogues and trade advertising material

PARTNER GOVERNMENT AGENCY CLEARANCE

HSN 4911 10 20 (Commercial catalogues) is governed by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) prohibition on obscene printed matter under Customs Notification No. 01/1964-CUS dated 18-01-1964. No dedicated sectoral Partner Government Agency licence applies to standard commercial catalogues; however, any catalogue or trade advertising material containing obscene representations, drawings, paintings, or figures is absolutely prohibited from import.

What this is

HSN code

4911 10 20

Chapter

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

Primary regulator

CBIC · Customs Notification No. 01/1964-CUS dated 18-01-1964 (obscene matter prohibition)

Customs documentation

Customs declaration from CBIC
Commercial invoice from exporter

Compliance steps

1
Verify that no catalogue, pamphlet, paper, drawing, painting, representation, figure, or article within the consignment constitutes obscene material as defined under the prohibition. Import of any such obscene printed matter is absolutely prohibited under Customs Notification No. 01/1964-CUS dated 18-01-1964, and affected consignments are liable to confiscation.
Customs Notification No. 01/1964-CUS dated 18-01-1964
2
File a standard bill of entry at the port of import with accurate description of the printed material. Ensure the commercial invoice and packing list clearly describe the catalogue content so that the proper officer can assess the consignment against the obscene-material prohibition without routing to prolonged examination.
Customs Notification No. 01/1964-CUS dated 18-01-1964

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is assuming that 'commercial catalogue' status automatically insulates a consignment from the obscenity prohibition. Customs officers retain authority to open and examine any printed consignment under this heading, and material deemed obscene — including certain lifestyle, adult-wellness, or fashion catalogues with explicit imagery — is liable to outright confiscation with no rectification option, regardless of the commercial intent of the importer.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 4911 10 20 require BIS certification?

No, commercial catalogues and trade advertising material are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the Customs prohibition on obscene printed matter under Notification No. 01/1964-CUS dated 18-01-1964, administered by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs.

What happens if a commercial catalogue is found to contain obscene material at the port of import?

The entire consignment is liable to confiscation under the absolute prohibition in Customs Notification No. 01/1964-CUS; there is no rectification or re-labelling pathway, and the importer may face additional liability under applicable Indian law.

Is a specific licence or NOC required from any Partner Government Agency before importing commercial catalogues?

No PGA licence or NOC is required for standard commercial catalogues; clearance is subject solely to customs examination for compliance with the obscene-matter prohibition under Notification No. 01/1964-CUS dated 18-01-1964.

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