Paper Import Monitoring System (PIMS) Certificate Registration - Process & Fees

Applicants must submit the following documents to obtain a PIMS Certificate:

Paper Import Monitoring System (PIMS) is an online system introduced by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under Notification No. 11/2015-2020 dated 25.05.2022 to monitor imports of specified paper and paper products under Chapter 48 of ITC (HS), 2022. Under this notification, the import policy for the notified items was amended from “Free” to “Free subject to compulsory registration under PIMS.” Importers are required to submit advance information, including details such as the importer’s name, country of origin, quantity of paper being imported, and port of import, and obtain an automatic Registration Number. PIMS registration allows multiple Bills of Entry within validity and permitted quantity; multiple products are also allowed if importer, exporter, manufacturer, country of origin and port are the same.

PIMS is a government initiative aimed at enhancing the efficiency of monitoring and regulating the importation of paper. More transparent and smooth processes mean that PIMS supports the local industry and data-driven policy. Here are some of its main benefits and challenges:

Key Benefits of PIMS

• Transparency and Accountability: PIMS makes the importation of papers more transparent because of its use of standardized procedures, minimizing the likelihood of malpractices, and increasing accountability.
• Protection of domestic industry: By monitoring and checking imports, PIMS protects domestic paper makers besides creating undistorted competition that allows the growth of local industries.
• Data-driven decision-making: It provides beneficial data to the government for tariffs, trade policies, and import rules that help establish a better framework of trade.

What If Your PIMS Registration Expires or Details Change?

• Registration Expires before Shipment Arrives : If existing PIMS registration expires before import clearance, the importer must obtain a fresh PIMS registration for smooth customs clearance.
• No amendment in details after registration is issued : PIMS states that amendments cannot be made to the issued registration; if changes are required, a new registration number must be obtained.
• Registration fee is not refunded after submission/cancellation : Registration fees paid towards PIMS are usually not refundable once it is submitted. Importers must ensure that they one check all the relevant import data prior to submission and payment.

To obtain a PIMS Registration Certificate in India, the importer must possess a valid Import-Exporter Code (IEC) issued by DGFT, pay the prescribed online registration fee of ₹500 per application, and comply with the applicable guidelines and conditions notified under the Import Monitoring System.

The following imports are exempt from PIMS registration even when the ITC-HS code falls within the notified Chapter 48 tariff items

Note: Claiming an exemption does not remove the obligation to carry documentary evidence at customs. Importers claiming the sample exemption must produce a commercial invoice clearly stating the FOB value does not exceed ₹10,000.

All 201 tariff lines under Chapter 48 notified under Annexure-A of DGFT Notification No. 11/2015-2020 dated 25 May 2022 require mandatory PIMS registration before the Bill of Entry is filed — registration is triggered by the 8-digit ITC-HS code, not by the commercial product name.

To avoid customs delays and legal consequences, importers must register under the Paper Import Monitoring System (PIMS). Any small error during the registration process can cause complications in the procedure. Experts at Professional Utilities provide well-organized assistance throughout the entire procedure of PIMS registration, starting from eligibility to document verification. Similar monitoring mechanisms have also been introduced for other notified products, such as the Chip Import Monitoring System (CHIMS), to enhance transparency and regulatory oversight in imports.