Hardboard

Hardboard of density exceeding 0.8 gm/cm3

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · IS 3097

HSN 4411 92 21 (Hardboard) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to the applicable Indian Standard is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 11 February 2025, by virtue of the Wood Based Boards Quality Control Order, 2024 (S.O. 1307(E)). Phytosanitary Certificate upload in e-Sanchit applies as a separate customs-clearance overlay.

What this is

HSN code

4411 92 21

Chapter

44 · Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 3097 · effective 11-02-2025

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

BISBIS·Bureau of Indian Standards

Compliance steps

1
Source only from a Bureau of Indian Standards CM/L-licensed manufacturer holding a current licence against the applicable Indian Standard for hardboard — IS 3097:2006 (veneered particle boards) or IS 3087:2005 (medium-density particle boards) as relevant to the specific product. Verify the CM/L number, licensed product scope, and manufacturing facility on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order.
Wood Based Boards Quality Control Order, 2024 · S.O. 1307(E) dated 12-03-2024 · BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
2
Ensure every board or panel in the consignment bears the ISI mark and the supplier's CM/L number as required under the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. The standard mark must appear on the product itself; marking on outer packaging alone does not satisfy the statutory requirement.
BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · Wood Based Boards Quality Control Order, 2024 · S.O. 1307(E) dated 12-03-2024
3
Upload the Phytosanitary Certificate (document code 851000) in e-Sanchit before the bill of entry is filed. The proper officer will verify the PSC upload as a mandatory condition prior to granting out-of-charge on any PGA-facilitated bill.
ITC (HS) Import Policy condition for Chapter 44 · e-Sanchit mandatory document upload requirement
4
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number on the bill of entry. Customs verifies the CM/L in real time against the BIS register; an absent, expired, or product-scope-mismatched licence triggers consignment detention.
BIS Act, 2016 · Wood Based Boards Quality Control Order, 2024 · S.O. 1307(E) dated 12-03-2024 · Customs Act, 1962
5
If the supplier is a small or micro enterprise, confirm the applicable enforcement date: small enterprises became subject to the QCO from 11 May 2025 and micro enterprises from 11 August 2025. Consignments from micro enterprises shipped before 11 August 2025 should be accompanied by MSME registration documentation supporting the transitional exemption claim.
Wood Based Boards Quality Control Order, 2024 · S.O. 1307(E) dated 12-03-2024 · CCR enforcement-date note for small and micro enterprises

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is treating all wood-based board categories as interchangeable under a single IS number. The Wood Based Boards QCO 2024 maps distinct Indian Standards to distinct board types — IS 3097:2006 for veneered particle boards, IS 3087:2005 for medium-density particle boards, IS 12406:2021 for MDF, IS 12823:2015 for pre-laminated particle boards, and IS 1659:2004 for block boards — and a CM/L licence is product-type-specific. Importing hardboard against a CM/L issued for a different board category is treated as importing without a valid licence, triggering detention and potential confiscation.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 4411 92 21 require BIS certification?

Yes. Hardboard of density exceeding 0.8 gm/cm3 requires conformity to the applicable Indian Standard under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 11 February 2025, by virtue of the Wood Based Boards Quality Control Order, 2024 (S.O. 1307(E)); import is permitted only from manufacturers holding a current BIS CM/L licence covering the specific board type.

Which Indian Standard applies specifically to hardboard at this density?

The Wood Based Boards QCO 2024 maps IS 3097:2006 to veneered particle boards and IS 3087:2005 to medium-density particle boards; the CM/L must match the specific board type and density grade of the consignment.

Do small and micro enterprises have a later compliance date?

Yes. Small enterprises became subject to the QCO from 11 May 2025 and micro enterprises from 11 August 2025, as stated in the Wood Based Boards Quality Control Order, 2024; the general enforcement date of 11 February 2025 applies to all other manufacturers.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all wood-based board types from the same manufacturer?

No. Each CM/L is board-type-specific and tied to a particular Indian Standard and manufacturing facility; a licence for one board category does not authorise supply of a different board type, and a product-scope mismatch at customs triggers detention.

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