Other

Compression-ignition diesel engines for general purposes (stationary, constant speed)

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · IS 10001 · CPCB OVERLAY

HSN 8408 90 90 (compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines, other) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 10001 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme by virtue of G.S.R. 804(E) dated 03 November 2022, applicable to constant-speed compression-ignition diesel engines for general purposes up to 19 kW. Central Pollution Control Board type-approval, emission and noise norms, and conformance labelling requirements apply as a separate customs-clearance overlay for diesel engines used in generator sets up to 800 kW.

What this is

HSN code

8408 90 90

Chapter

84 · Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 10001 · effective 03-11-2022

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

BISBIS·Bureau of Indian Standards

CPCBCPCB·Central Pollution Control Board

Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs.

Compliance steps

1
Source only from a Bureau of Indian Standards CM/L-licensed manufacturer holding a current licence against IS 10001 for constant-speed compression-ignition diesel engines. Verify the supplier's CM/L number, licensed product scope (including power output range up to 19 kW), and manufacturing facility on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order.
IS 10001 · G.S.R. 804(E) dated 03-11-2022 · General Note 2 to the ITC (HS) Import Policy
2
Ensure each engine bears the ISI mark and the supplier's CM/L number per Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. The marking must appear on the engine itself and not only on the packaging or accompanying documentation.
Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · G.S.R. 804(E) dated 03-11-2022
3
Obtain and retain the Central Pollution Control Board type-approval certificate, certificate of conformity of production, and evidence of conformance labelling for diesel engines used in generator sets, covering emission and noise norms under Schedule-I (Sr. No. 95) of the Environment Protection Rules, 1986.
Schedule-I Sr. No. 95 of the Environment Protection Rules, 1986 · CPCB letter No. CP-29/10/2022-UPC-I-HO-CPCB-HO-927 dated 26-05-2023 · CBIC letter F.No. 401/67/2022-Cus III dated 26-05-2023
4
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number on the bill of entry and ensure CPCB type-approval documentation is presented at the port of import. Customs verifies the CM/L against the BIS register in real time; an absent, expired, or scope-mismatched licence triggers consignment detention and potential re-export.
G.S.R. 804(E) dated 03-11-2022 · BIS Act, 2016 · Customs Act, 1962
5
Confirm the engine is new. Import of second-hand capital goods including diesel generating sets is restricted under the Foreign Trade Policy. If importing a genset assembly, verify that the engine component individually meets BIS QCO and CPCB norms.
Para 2.31 of the Foreign Trade Policy · G.S.R. 804(E) dated 03-11-2022

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is assuming that CPCB type-approval for the generator set satisfies the BIS QCO obligation on the engine itself. These are independent obligations: CPCB type-approval addresses emission and noise norms at the genset level, while IS 10001 CM/L licensing is a product-level import condition on the constant-speed diesel engine as a standalone article. An importer presenting full CPCB documentation but without a valid CM/L-licensed source faces detention of the engine consignment regardless of genset compliance.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8408 90 90 require BIS certification?

Yes. Constant-speed compression-ignition diesel engines for general purposes up to 19 kW require conformity to IS 10001 under the ISI Mark Scheme, mandatory with effect from 03 November 2022 by virtue of G.S.R. 804(E). Import is permitted only from manufacturers holding a current BIS CM/L licence covering the relevant power range and facility.

Is Central Pollution Control Board approval required separately from BIS QCO compliance?

Yes. CPCB type-approval, certificate of conformity of production, conformance labelling, and emission and noise norm compliance under Schedule-I Sr. No. 95 of the Environment Protection Rules, 1986 are independent requirements applicable to diesel engines used in generator sets up to 800 kW.

Does the BIS QCO cover all diesel engines under HSN 8408 90 90 or only those up to 19 kW?

The CCR cites IS 10001 specifically for constant-speed compression-ignition diesel engines for general purposes up to 19 kW. Engines outside this power and application scope should be assessed independently against the QCO schedule; the CPCB emission-norm overlay applies separately to genset engines up to 800 kW.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all power output variants from the same manufacturer?

No. The CM/L licence is scope-specific by power output range, engine model, and manufacturing facility. Engines outside the licensed power range or from an unlicensed plant are not covered, and customs detains the consignment on a scope mismatch.

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