Other

Other miscellaneous printed matter, pictures, photographs

PARTNER GOVERNMENT AGENCY CLEARANCE

HSN 4911 99 90 (Other printed matter) is subject to an absolute prohibition on obscene printed material under Customs Notification No. 01/1964-CUS dated 18-01-1964, administered by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). Any book, pamphlet, paper, drawing, painting, representation, figure, or article of an obscene character is prohibited from import at the bill-of-entry stage.

What this is

HSN code

4911 99 90

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

Bill of entry from CBIC
Content compliance declaration from importer

Compliance steps

1
Ensure no item in the consignment constitutes an obscene book, pamphlet, paper, drawing, painting, representation, figure, or article. Import of any such material is absolutely prohibited and subject to seizure and confiscation at the port of entry.
Customs Notification No. 01/1964-CUS dated 18-01-1964
2
File the bill of entry with a content description that accurately identifies the nature of the printed matter. Misdescription of obscene material as general printed matter attracts confiscation and monetary penalty under the Customs Act, 1962.
Customs Notification No. 01/1964-CUS dated 18-01-1964

A word of counsel

The prohibition under Notification No. 01/1964-CUS applies to the content of the printed material, not merely its format or physical form — a commercially packaged art book, catalogue, or periodical containing representations held obscene under the applicable standard is as susceptible to seizure as any other prohibited item. Importers sourcing mixed-content print consignments should conduct content screening before shipment; post-arrival detention for obscenity review generates demurrage and ground rent with no guarantee of release.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 4911 99 90 require BIS certification?

No, miscellaneous printed matter under this residual tariff line falls entirely outside the BIS Quality Control Order regime. The operative restriction is the absolute prohibition on obscene printed material under Customs Notification No. 01/1964-CUS dated 18-01-1964, enforced by CBIC at the port of entry.

What categories of printed material are caught by the obscenity prohibition?

Customs Notification No. 01/1964-CUS expressly prohibits import of any obscene book, pamphlet, paper, drawing, painting, representation, figure, or article — the prohibition is content-based and applies across all physical formats of printed matter classifiable under this tariff line.

What is the enforcement outcome if a prohibited consignment is intercepted at customs?

The consignment is liable to seizure and confiscation under the Customs Act, 1962; the importer also faces monetary penalty, and deliberate importation of obscene material may attract criminal liability under applicable Indian law.

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