Gramophone records

Gramophone records and other analogue sound media

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 8523 80 10 (Gramophone records) 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, which prohibits import of unauthorised or pirated content and requires compliance with all applicable Indian laws governing film distribution and exhibition. Import of cinematographic or other recorded films — including content on video tape, compact video disc, laser video disc, or digital video disc — additionally requires a certificate of public exhibition under the Cinematograph Act, 1952. Foreign reprints of Indian films require prior written permission from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

What this is

HSN code

8523 80 10

Chapter

85 · Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) Restricted import policy, Chapter 85 (policy condition no. 1)

Customs documentation

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

Compliance steps

1
Before filing the bill of entry, confirm that the imported gramophone records or other recorded media do not constitute unauthorised or pirated content. Any import of pirated films or recordings is prohibited outright under policy condition no. 1 to Chapter 85 of the ITC (HS) 2022.
Policy condition no. 1 to Chapter 85, ITC (HS) 2022
2
Where the consignment contains cinematographic films or other recorded films (including content on video tape, compact video disc, laser video disc, or digital video disc), obtain the certificate of public exhibition prescribed under the Cinematograph Act, 1952 prior to customs clearance.
Policy condition no. 1 to Chapter 85, ITC (HS) 2022; Cinematograph Act, 1952
3
If the consignment comprises foreign reprints of Indian films, secure prior written permission from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting before shipment. Absence of this permission renders the import prohibited and liable to confiscation and monetary penalty at the bill-of-entry stage.
Policy condition no. 1 to Chapter 85, ITC (HS) 2022

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is treating gramophone records and analogue sound media as non-film goods and overlooking the public-exhibition certificate requirement that extends to all recorded films on any medium — including legacy formats such as video tape, laser disc, and DVD — not merely cinematic releases in current theatrical distribution. A consignment detained for absence of the Cinematograph Act, 1952 certificate attracts ground rent and demurrage while the certificate is pursued retrospectively, and no ex-post cure exists for a prohibited pirated import once seized.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8523 80 10 require BIS certification?

No, gramophone records are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime; no BIS QCO covers this product family. Import is governed by the ITC (HS) policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under policy condition no. 1 to Chapter 85, covering anti-piracy and exhibition-certificate requirements.

Does the certificate of public exhibition requirement apply to non-film audio recordings on gramophone records?

The certificate of public exhibition under the Cinematograph Act, 1952 is specifically tied to cinematographic and other films — including video tape, compact video disc, laser video disc, and digital video disc; purely audio gramophone records not embodying film content fall outside the film-exhibition certificate requirement but remain subject to the anti-piracy prohibition.

What permission is required to import foreign reprints of Indian films, and who issues it?

Prior written permission from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is required before import of any foreign reprint of an Indian film; shipment without this permission is a prohibited import under policy condition no. 1 to Chapter 85, attracting confiscation and penalty.

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