Other
Other optical media and recorded discs (films, video discs)
HSN 8523 49 90 (Other recorded optical media) is subject to the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) import policy conditions under Chapter 85 of the ITC (HS) Schedule. Import of cinematographic and video films — including on compact video disc, laser video disc, or digital video disc — requires compliance with the Cinematograph Act, 1952, including a certificate of public exhibition. Import of foreign reprints of Indian films requires prior written permission from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
- Certificate of public exhibition from CBFC
- Prior written permission from Ministry of I&B
- ITC (HS) policy compliance from DGFT
- 1For any cinematographic or video film imported on optical media (compact video disc, laser video disc, or digital video disc), obtain a certificate of public exhibition under the Cinematograph Act, 1952 before filing the bill of entry. Unauthorised or pirated films are prohibited outright and liable to confiscation.ITC (HS) policy condition 1 to Chapter 85 and Chapter 37 · Cinematograph Act, 1952
- 2If the consignment consists of foreign reprints of Indian films, secure prior written permission from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting before shipment. Absence of this permission at the bill of entry stage renders the import unauthorised under the ITC (HS) policy and subject to detention.ITC (HS) policy condition 1 to Chapter 85 and Chapter 37
The most common error on this residual tariff line is importing recorded optical discs containing film content on the strength of a general trade relationship or distribution agreement, without obtaining the Cinematograph Act certificate of public exhibition. That certificate is a pre-condition to import — not a post-clearance requirement — and a consignment presented without it at the bill of entry is detained pending confiscation proceedings, with no rectification window equivalent to the FSSAI labelling regime.