Other
Portable and wheeled fire extinguishers, preparations and charges
HSN 3813 00 90 (fire extinguisher preparations, charges, and grenades — other) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 15683:2018 for portable fire extinguishers and IS 16018:2012 for 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 licensing administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade applies as a separate customs-clearance overlay.
Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Directorate General of Foreign Trade.
- 1Source 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. 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
- 2Ensure every unit bears the ISI mark and the supplier's CM/L number per Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Marking must appear on the product itself, not on the packaging alone.Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · Fire Extinguishers (Quality Control) Order, 2023
- 3Confirm whether the extinguisher charge or preparation contains any ozone-depleting substance listed in Schedule VII of the ODS Rules. If ODS is present, obtain a DGFT import licence under Rule 10 of the Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000. If ODS-free, affix the required label to that effect before import.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
- 4Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number on the bill of entry. Where a DGFT ODS import licence is required, quote the licence number on the bill of entry as well. Customs verifies the CM/L in real time against the BIS register; an absent, expired, or scope-mismatched CM/L triggers consignment detention.Fire Extinguishers (Quality Control) Order, 2023 · BIS Act, 2016 · Customs Act, 1962
- 5Note the staggered enforcement dates for MSMEs: the effective date for small enterprises is 12 May 2024 and for micro enterprises is 12 August 2024. Importers sourcing from micro or small enterprise manufacturers must verify that the applicable effective date has been reached and a valid CM/L is in place before shipment.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)
The single most common error on this tariff line is importing the complete charged extinguisher unit — which is squarely within the Fire Extinguishers (Quality Control) Order, 2023 — but treating it as a 'preparation or charge' component exempt from ISI-mark requirements. The QCO applies to the finished, charged extinguisher; a CM/L licence against IS 15683:2018 or IS 16018:2012 must cover the specific extinguisher type and capacity. Importers who source from a manufacturer whose CM/L covers only a subset of capacities or a different extinguishing agent class face detention on the non-covered units regardless of a valid licence for other items in the same consignment.