Containing methane, ethane or propane hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)

Fire-extinguisher preparations and charges containing HCFCs

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · MEFCC OVERLAY

HSN 3813 00 30 (preparations and charges for fire-extinguishers containing methane, ethane or propane hydrochlorofluorocarbons) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 15683:2018 (portable fire extinguishers) and IS 16018:2012 (wheeled fire extinguishers) is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 12 February 2024, by virtue of the Fire Extinguishers (Quality Control) Order, 2023. Ozone-depleting substance import controls administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (legacy code) apply as separate customs-clearance overlays.

What this is

HSN code

3813 00 30

Chapter

38 · Miscellaneous chemical products

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 15683:2018 · effective 12-02-2024

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

BISBIS·Bureau of Indian Standards

MEFCCMEFCC·Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

Compliance steps

1
Source only from a Bureau of Indian Standards CM/L-licensed manufacturer holding a current licence against IS 15683:2018 (portable fire extinguishers) or IS 16018:2012 (wheeled fire extinguishers) as applicable to the product type. Verify the supplier's CM/L number, licensed product scope, and manufacturing facility on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order.
Fire Extinguishers (Quality Control) Order, 2023 · S.O. 3585(E) dated 09-08-2023
2
Confirm the applicable effective date for the supplier's enterprise category: the BIS QCO obligation took effect 12 February 2024 for large enterprises, 12 May 2024 for small enterprises, and 12 August 2024 for micro enterprises as defined under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006.
Fire Extinguishers (Quality Control) Order, 2023 · S.O. 3585(E) dated 09-08-2023 · Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 (27 of 2006)
3
Ensure each extinguisher or charge bears the ISI mark and the supplier's CM/L number under Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Marking must appear on the product itself, not only on packaging or accompanying documentation.
Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · Fire Extinguishers (Quality Control) Order, 2023
4
Obtain a DGFT licence for import of Schedule-VII items under Rule 10 of the Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000. If the product does not contain ozone-depleting substances, affix a label to that effect before import and document compliance with policy conditions 3, 5, and 6 of Chapter 38.
Rule 10 of the Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 · General Note 8(a) of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · Policy conditions 3, 5, and 6 of Chapter 38
5
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number and the DGFT ODS licence number (where applicable) on the bill of entry. Customs verifies the CM/L in real time against the BIS register; an absent, expired, or scope-mismatched licence triggers consignment detention.
Fire Extinguishers (Quality Control) Order, 2023 · BIS Act, 2016 · Customs Act, 1962 · DGFT Notification 44/25-26 dated 15-10-2025

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is importing extinguisher charges under a CM/L licence that covers only one product type — portable or wheeled — when the consignment contains both. IS 15683:2018 and IS 16018:2012 are standard-specific; a CM/L against one does not extend to the other, and customs detains the out-of-scope product class regardless of the ISI mark on the in-scope units. Verify that the supplier holds separate, current CM/L licences for every product type in the shipment before the purchase order is placed.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 3813 00 30 require BIS certification?

Yes. Portable fire extinguishers must conform to IS 15683:2018 and wheeled fire extinguishers to IS 16018:2012 under the ISI Mark Scheme; import is permitted only from manufacturers holding a current BIS CM/L licence covering the relevant product type, with effect from 12 February 2024 for large enterprises.

Is a DGFT licence required in addition to BIS QCO compliance?

Yes, for products containing ozone-depleting substances. A DGFT import licence is required under Rule 10 of the Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000; products that do not contain ODS must carry a label to that effect before import.

Do the staggered effective dates affect all importers equally?

No. The BIS QCO applies from 12 February 2024 for large enterprises, 12 May 2024 for small enterprises, and 12 August 2024 for micro enterprises as defined in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006; the supplier's enterprise classification governs which date applies.

Does a single CM/L licence cover both portable and wheeled fire extinguishers?

No. IS 15683:2018 and IS 16018:2012 are separate standards with separate CM/L licences; a licence against one standard does not authorise import of extinguishers covered by the other.

Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-18. Source: BIS / MEFCC / DGFT / Indian Customs CUSDATA.