Paper Import Monitoring System put in place by DGFT

New Delhi, May 27 (KNN) The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has made registration of paper import compulsory under the newly implemented user friendly interface ‘Paper Import Monitoring System’ (PIMS) from October 1, 2022.

As per the notification, the import policy of major paper products has been amended from ‘Free’ to ‘Free subject to compulsory registration under Paper Import Monitoring System’ which will be available from July 15, 2022.

This order shall be applicable on a range of paper products, such as newsprint, handmade paper, wallpaper base, duplicating paper, coated paper, uncoated paper, Litho and offset paper, tissue paper, parchment paper, carbon paper, wall paper, envelops, toilet paper, cartons, account books, labels, bobbins, etc.

Paper products like currency paper, bank bond and cheque paper, security printing paper, etc. have been excluded from this policy change.

Any importer will be able to obtain an automatic registration number online by paying a registration fee of Rs 500. The importer can apply for registration not earlier than 75th day and not later than 5th day before the expected date of arrival of import consignment.

The automatic registration Number thus granted shall remain valid for a period of 75 days. Multiple Bill of Entries shall be allowed in same registration number within the validity period of registration for the permitted quantity.

Domestic paper industry has been raising issues of dumping of paper products in the domestic market by way of under-invoicing, entry of prohibited goods by mis-declaration, re-routing goods through other countries in lieu of trade agreements. 

A large proportion of paper products are imported under “Others” category Tariff Lines. The move will also go a long way in promoting Make in India and Atmanirbhar in this category.  (KNN Bureau)