¾” and 1” video cassettes

¾" and 1" magnetic video cassette tapes

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 8523 29 40 (¾" and 1" video cassettes) is subject to the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under Policy Condition No. 1 to Chapters 85 and 37, which prohibits the import of unauthorised or pirated films. Import of cinematographic and video-format films requires compliance with all applicable Indian laws governing distribution and exhibition, including a certificate of public exhibition under the Cinematograph Act, 1952; foreign reprints of Indian films additionally require prior written permission from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

What this is

HSN code

8523 29 40

Chapter

85 · Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) import policy, Policy Condition No. 1 to Chapters 85 and 37

Customs documentation

Certificate of public exhibition from CBFC
Ministry of I&B permission for Indian film reprints
ITC (HS) policy compliance declaration to DGFT

Compliance steps

1
Ensure the imported video cassette content is authorised and not pirated. Where the cassette carries cinematographic or video-format film content, obtain a certificate of public exhibition as prescribed under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, prior to filing the bill of entry.
Policy Condition No. 1 to Chapters 85 and 37 of the ITC (HS) import policy
2
If the consignment constitutes a foreign reprint of an Indian film, obtain prior written permission from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting before shipment. Import without this permission is prohibited under the ITC (HS) policy and will result in detention and potential confiscation at the port.
Policy Condition No. 1 to Chapters 85 and 37 of the ITC (HS) import policy

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is importing video cassettes containing film content on the assumption that a distribution agreement or licensing contract is sufficient proof of authorisation. The ITC (HS) policy condition requires a statutory certificate of public exhibition under the Cinematograph Act, 1952 — a private commercial licence does not substitute for it. Consignments arriving without the certificate are liable to detention, and where the content is determined to be an unauthorised reprint of an Indian film, confiscation follows.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8523 29 40 require BIS certification?

No, ¾" and 1" video cassettes are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under Policy Condition No. 1 to Chapters 85 and 37, with film-content obligations under the Cinematograph Act, 1952.

Does the certificate of public exhibition requirement apply to blank video cassettes with no recorded content?

The policy condition is triggered by the import of films — including film on video tape — so blank unrecorded cassettes fall outside the certification requirement; however, the prohibition on pirated content and the ITC (HS) policy compliance obligation apply to the tariff line regardless.

What happens if a foreign reprint of an Indian film is imported without Ministry of Information and Broadcasting permission?

Import without prior written permission from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is prohibited under Policy Condition No. 1; the consignment is liable to detention and confiscation, and the importer is exposed to enforcement action under applicable Indian laws governing film distribution and exhibition.

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