Compact disc (Video)

Compact disc (video) for cinematographic exhibition

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 8523 49 20 (Compact disc, Video) is subject to ITC (HS) import policy conditions administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under policy condition no. 1 to Chapter 85 and 37, which mandates compliance with all applicable Indian laws governing film distribution and exhibition, including a certificate of public exhibition under the Cinematograph Act, 1952. Import of unauthorised or pirated films is prohibited, and foreign reprints of Indian films require prior written permission from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

What this is

HSN code

8523 49 20

Chapter

85 · Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) import policy condition no. 1, Chapters 85 and 37

Customs documentation

Certificate of public exhibition from Censor Board
Import declaration from DGFT
MIB prior permission from Ministry of I&B

Compliance steps

1
Before filing the bill of entry, obtain a certificate of public exhibition as prescribed under the Cinematograph Act, 1952. This certificate is the primary gate-clearance document establishing that the imported video compact disc is authorised for distribution and exhibition in India.
ITC (HS) policy condition no. 1 to Chapter 85 and 37 · Cinematograph Act, 1952
2
For foreign reprints of Indian films, secure prior written permission from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting before shipment. Consignments arriving without this permission are liable to detention and confiscation at the port of import.
ITC (HS) policy condition no. 1 to Chapter 85 and 37

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is confusing the general Cinematograph Act exhibition certificate — which covers foreign films — with the separate prior-permission requirement that applies exclusively to foreign reprints of Indian films. These are two distinct obligations: failing to identify that the imported disc is a reprint of an Indian film and proceeding without Ministry of Information and Broadcasting approval exposes the consignment to confiscation and the importer to prosecution under the prohibition on unauthorised imports.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8523 49 20 require BIS certification?

No, compact discs (video) are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by ITC (HS) policy condition no. 1 to Chapters 85 and 37, administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, requiring compliance with the Cinematograph Act, 1952 and applicable film-exhibition laws.

Does the certificate of public exhibition requirement apply to all video compact discs or only to films?

Per policy condition no. 1 to Chapters 85 and 37, the requirement applies to cinematographic films and other films imported on video tape, compact video disc, laser video disc, or digital video disc — the condition is content-type driven, not medium-driven.

What happens if unauthorised or pirated video compact discs are imported?

Import of unauthorised or pirated films is expressly prohibited under ITC (HS) policy condition no. 1 to Chapters 85 and 37; such consignments are liable to seizure and confiscation, and the importer faces criminal liability under applicable Indian laws governing film exhibition.

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