- Home
- Import and Export
- HS chapters
- Pulp, paper and printed matter
Import export policy: Pulp, paper and printed matter (HS 47 to 49)
Is import or export free, restricted or prohibited for pulp, paper and printed matter? HS chapters 47 to 49: what each covers, DGFT policy lines, which licences apply and FY.
Official sources checked: 2 Oct 2026
Section X of the Harmonised System covers pulp, paper and printed matter. For each chapter below you see what it covers, whether export or import is free, restricted or prohibited in the DGFT documents we read, which India-side licences usually apply, and the official trade values for FY 2025-26.
| HS chapter | Exports, US$ million | Imports, US$ million | Export policy | Import policy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47: Wood pulp and waste paper | 1 | 3,348 | Has restricted, prohibited or STE lines | Free in general |
| 48: Paper and paperboard | 2,603 | 3,040 | Free in general | 16 restricted code(s) |
| 49: Books and printed matter | 463 | 247 | Free in general | 3 restricted code(s) |
Trade values are in US$ million for the financial year 2025-26 (April 2025 to March 2026), as published by TradeStat, Department of Commerce (data from DGCI&S) and fetched on 2026-10-02. They can be revised later. Shares and changes are calculated from those figures. Year-on-year change compares 2025-26 with 2024-25.
"Free in general" means we found no restricted, prohibited or STE line for this chapter. Policy changes by DGFT notification. The import notes come from DGFT's lists of restricted (407 codes) and prohibited (88 codes) imports, both as on 12 June 2019. The export notes come from DGFT's chapter-wise export schedule, 2021 edition. Check your 8-digit code on DGFT's policy search for the current position.
Chapter by chapter
Chapter 47: Wood pulp and waste paper
Chemical wood pulp, mechanical pulp and paper waste.
Exports from India
FY 2025-26: US$ 1 million, -84.4% on 2024-25. Largest destinations (US$ million): Saudi Arabia (0), Taiwan (0), Sri Lanka (0), Bangladesh (0).
- Chemical wood pulp (dissolving, soda or sulphate, sulphite grades) and semi-chemical wood pulp are Prohibited. Waste paper is Restricted.
Usually needed: CAPEXIL, DGFT policy lines
Chapter 48: Paper and paperboard
Paper, newsprint, cartons, notebooks and paper articles.
Exports from India
FY 2025-26: US$ 2,603 million, -0.9% on 2024-25. Largest destinations (US$ million): USA (432), UAE (334), UK (147), Sri Lanka (122).
- No restricted, prohibited or STE line found for this chapter in the schedule we read.
Usually needed: CAPEXIL
Imports into India
FY 2025-26: US$ 3,040 million, -7.1% on 2024-25. Largest sources (US$ million): China (866), USA (232), Indonesia (224), South Korea (175).
- Restricted (16 codes): newsprint, bank, bond and cheque paper, currency note paper and paper for security printing.
Usually needed: DGFT policy lines
Chapter 49: Books and printed matter
Books, newspapers, pictures, maps and printed documents.
Exports from India
FY 2025-26: US$ 463 million, +6.6% on 2024-25. Largest destinations (US$ million): USA (164), UK (36), Tanzania Rep (18), UAE (17).
- No restricted, prohibited or STE line found for this chapter in the schedule we read.
Usually needed: CAPEXIL
Imports into India
FY 2025-26: US$ 247 million, +7.4% on 2024-25. Largest sources (US$ million): UK (53), USA (48), Russia (33), China (32).
- Restricted: bank notes and unused postage and revenue stamps.
Usually needed: DGFT policy lines
Common questions
Is export of pulp, paper and printed matter free?
Is import of pulp, paper and printed matter free?
Where do I check the current policy?
Is Govt License a government website?
Related guides
Official sources for this page
- DGFT list of restricted items for import (407 codes, as on 12 June 2019)
- DGFT list of prohibited items for import (88 codes, updated 12 June 2019)
- DGFT ITC (HS) Schedule 2: chapter-wise Export Policy (2021 edition)
- DGFT ITC (HS) 2022 Schedule 1: General Notes regarding Import Policy
- DGFT ITC (HS) Schedule 2: General Notes to Export Policy
- DGFT Appendix 2T: list of Export Promotion Councils and Commodity Boards
- TradeStat, Department of Commerce (data from DGCI&S)
- DGFT ITC (HS) import and export policy search