Compact disc (Audio)

Optical media compact discs for audio recording

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 8523 49 10 (Compact disc, Audio) is subject to the ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under Policy Condition No. 1 to Chapter 85, which prohibits import of unauthorised or pirated content and requires compliance with all applicable Indian laws governing film distribution and exhibition. Import of foreign reprints of Indian films requires prior written permission from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

What this is

HSN code

8523 49 10

Chapter

85 · Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof

Primary regulator

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

Customs documentation

Import policy declaration from DGFT
Certificate of public exhibition from CBFC
Prior permission from Ministry of I and B

Compliance steps

1
Confirm the compact disc consignment contains no unauthorised or pirated content. The importer must comply with all applicable Indian laws governing the distribution and exhibition of films, including obtaining a certificate of public exhibition under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, where the disc contains cinematographic or film content.
Policy Condition No. 1 to Chapter 85 of ITC (HS) · Cinematograph Act, 1952
2
Where the consignment contains foreign reprints of Indian films, obtain prior written permission from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting before filing the bill of entry. Import without this permission is prohibited under Policy Condition No. 1 to Chapter 85 and the consignment is liable to confiscation.
Policy Condition No. 1 to Chapter 85 of ITC (HS)

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is treating audio CDs as simple optical-media hardware and overlooking the content-compliance layer. Even where the physical medium is unrecorded, a consignment of pre-recorded audio CDs carrying film-related or reprinted Indian content triggers the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting prior-permission requirement independently of the DGFT policy declaration; arriving at the port of entry without that permission results in detention and potential confiscation, not merely a documentation rectification.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8523 49 10 require BIS certification?

No, compact discs for audio recording are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under Policy Condition No. 1 to Chapter 85, with content-compliance obligations under the Cinematograph Act, 1952.

Does the certificate of public exhibition requirement apply to all audio CDs or only to film-content discs?

The Cinematograph Act, 1952 certificate requirement applies specifically to discs carrying cinematographic films or film content, including films on compact disc format; purely musical or non-film audio CDs are not within its scope but remain subject to the anti-piracy prohibition under Policy Condition No. 1.

What is the consequence of importing foreign reprints of Indian films on compact disc without Ministry of Information and Broadcasting permission?

Such import is prohibited under Policy Condition No. 1 to Chapter 85 of the ITC (HS); the consignment is liable to confiscation, and the importer faces enforcement action under the Customs Act, 1962 for importing a prohibited item.

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