Other

Optical media and recorded discs, other

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 8523 29 90 (Other optical media) is subject to import policy controls administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under ITC (HS) policy condition No. 1 to Chapters 85 and 37. Import of cinematographic and other films — including video tape, compact video disc, laser video disc, and digital video disc — requires compliance with all applicable Indian laws governing film distribution and exhibition, including a certificate of public exhibition under the Cinematograph Act, 1952.

What this is

HSN code

8523 29 90

Chapter

85 · Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) policy condition No. 1 to Chapters 85 and 37

Customs documentation

Certificate of public exhibition from CBFC
Prior written permission from Ministry of I&B
ITC (HS) policy compliance declaration

Compliance steps

1
Before filing the bill of entry, ensure the imported film or recorded disc carries a valid certificate of public exhibition issued under the Cinematograph Act, 1952. Consignments lacking this certificate are prohibited from clearance under ITC (HS) policy condition No. 1 to Chapter 85.
ITC (HS) policy condition No. 1 to Chapters 85 and 37 · Cinematograph Act, 1952
2
If the consignment is 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 and renders the consignment liable to confiscation.
ITC (HS) policy condition No. 1 to Chapters 85 and 37

A word of counsel

The most frequent error on this tariff line is importing foreign reprints of Indian films on the assumption that a general Cinematograph Act exhibition certificate suffices. The ITC (HS) policy imposes a separate, prior written-permission requirement from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting specifically for foreign reprints of Indian films — a condition distinct from the exhibition-certificate pathway. Absence of that ministry permission is an absolute bar to import, not a rectifiable documentation deficiency.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8523 29 90 require BIS certification?

No, no BIS Quality Control Order covers this residual optical-media tariff line. Import is governed by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under ITC (HS) policy condition No. 1 to Chapters 85 and 37, with film-content compliance required under the Cinematograph Act, 1952.

Does the exhibition-certificate requirement apply to all recorded media under this HSN or only to films?

The certificate of public exhibition under the Cinematograph Act, 1952 is specifically required for cinematographic films and other films, including content on video tape, compact video disc, laser video disc, and digital video disc — not for non-film recorded media under the same tariff line.

What is the consequence of importing pirated or unauthorised films under this HSN?

Import of unauthorised or pirated films is expressly prohibited under ITC (HS) policy condition No. 1 to Chapter 85; such consignments are liable to seizure and confiscation, with separate criminal liability under applicable Indian laws governing film distribution.

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