Other

Other optical media and recorded storage devices

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 8523 59 90 (Other optical and storage media) 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 import of unauthorised or pirated films and conditions the import of cinematographic and other films on compliance with all applicable Indian laws governing distribution and exhibition. Importers of foreign reprints of Indian films require prior written permission from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

What this is

HSN code

8523 59 90

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
MIB prior permission from Ministry of I&B
ITC (HS) policy compliance declaration

Compliance steps

1
Before filing the bill of entry for any film content on this tariff line — whether on video tape, compact video disc, laser video disc, or digital video disc — obtain the Certificate of Public Exhibition under the Cinematograph Act, 1952. The certificate must cover the specific title being imported and must be current at the time of clearance.
Policy Condition No. 1 to Chapters 85 and 37 of ITC (HS) · Cinematograph Act, 1952
2
If importing a foreign reprint of an Indian film, obtain prior written permission from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting before shipment. Consignments of foreign reprints of Indian films arriving without this permission are liable to confiscation as a prohibited import under the ITC (HS) policy.
Policy Condition No. 1 to Chapters 85 and 37 of ITC (HS) · DGFT ITC (HS) Schedule I

A word of counsel

The most common error on this residual tariff line is assuming that only feature-length films trigger the Cinematograph Act, 1952 certificate requirement. The policy condition extends to all films imported in any format — video tape, compact video disc, laser video disc, or digital video disc — and a consignment of short-form or promotional film content without a valid Certificate of Public Exhibition will be detained at the port of entry as a prohibited import, with no scope for post-arrival regularisation.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8523 59 90 require BIS certification?

No, this residual optical and storage media tariff line is 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, which mandates compliance with the Cinematograph Act, 1952 for film content.

Does the Cinematograph Act certificate requirement apply to blank or non-film storage media classified under this HSN?

The certificate and content-compliance conditions under Policy Condition No. 1 are triggered by the importation of films — including film on video tape, compact video disc, laser video disc, or digital video disc; blank storage devices with no film content are not subject to the Cinematograph Act requirement but must still comply with DGFT import policy for this tariff line.

What is the consequence of importing an unauthorised or pirated film under this tariff line?

Import of unauthorised or pirated films is explicitly prohibited under Policy Condition No. 1 to Chapters 85 and 37; the consignment is liable to confiscation and the importer faces prosecution under applicable Indian laws governing film distribution and exhibition.

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