Split system

Split-system room air conditioners for fixed installation

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · IS 1391 · BEE OVERLAY · CPCB OVERLAY · MEFCC OVERLAY

HSN 8415 10 10 (split-system room air conditioners) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 1391 (Part 2):2018 for split-type units and IS 8148:2018 for ducted and packaged units is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 01 October 2023. Extended Producer Responsibility authorisation under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 and Bureau of Energy Efficiency labelling apply as separate customs-clearance overlays; import of air conditioners pre-charged with refrigerants is prohibited under Directorate General of Foreign Trade policy.

What this is

HSN code

8415 10 10

Chapter

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

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 1391 · effective 01-10-2023

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

BEEBEE·Bureau of Energy Efficiency

BISBIS·Bureau of Indian Standards

CPCBCPCB·Central Pollution Control Board

MEFCCMEFCC·Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

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

Compliance steps

1
Verify the foreign manufacturer's BIS CM/L licence number against IS 1391 (Part 2):2018 (split-type) or IS 8148:2018 (packaged/ducted) on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order. Confirm the licence covers the specific model, cooling capacity, and manufacturing facility.
IS 1391 (Part 2):2018; IS 8148:2018; Air Conditioner and Its Related Parts Hermetic Compressor and Temperature Sensing Controls (QC) Amendment Order, 2025; Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
2
Ensure every unit bears the ISI mark and the supplier's CM/L number as required by Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Marking must appear on the product itself and be traceable to the licensed manufacturing facility and model.
Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018; Air Conditioner and Its Related Parts Hermetic Compressor and Temperature Sensing Controls (QC) Amendment Order, 2025
3
Confirm the consignment is not pre-charged with refrigerant; import of air conditioners with refrigerants is prohibited. Also verify the units contain no Group VI ozone-depleting substances, which are prohibited from import in air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment.
DGFT Notification 41/2015-20 dated 15-10-2020; S.O. 670(E) dated 19-07-2000; S.O. 1033(E) dated 13-03-2014; Rule 10(1A) of the ODS Rules (as amended); General Note 8(A) of the ITC (HS) Import Policy
4
Obtain Extended Producer Responsibility authorisation from the Central Pollution Control Board before import. MSMED-registered micro enterprises are exempt. Quote the EPR authorisation number on the bill of entry; centralised air conditioning plants are excluded from this EPR requirement.
Schedule-I of the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022; G.S.R. 801(E) dated 02-11-2022
5
Ensure compliance with Bureau of Energy Efficiency (Appliance Labelling and Compliance) Regulations, 2026 and quote the BIS CM/L number, CPCB EPR authorisation, and BEE labelling reference on the bill of entry. Customs verifies each independently; any absent, expired, or scope-mismatched credential triggers consignment detention. Second-hand air conditioner imports are restricted under Para 2.31 of the Foreign Trade Policy.
BEE Notification 5506/BEE/S&L/AL/2025-26 dated 26-12-2025; Para 2.31 of the Foreign Trade Policy; BIS Act, 2016; Customs Act, 1962

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is sourcing split-system units from a CM/L-licensed manufacturer without verifying that the licence specifically covers the split-type sub-scope under IS 1391 (Part 2):2018 rather than only the unitary window-type scope under IS 1391 (Part 1):2017. The two parts are separately licensed; a CM/L covering Part 1 does not authorise the ISI mark on Part 2 split-type units. Customs has refused clearance on consignments where the bill of entry quotes a valid CM/L number that, on real-time portal verification, maps to the wrong part.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8415 10 10 require BIS certification?

Yes. Split-system room air conditioners require conformity to IS 1391 (Part 2):2018 under the ISI Mark Scheme from 01 October 2023; only manufacturers holding a current BIS CM/L licence covering the specific model and facility are permitted to supply.

Is Extended Producer Responsibility authorisation required separately from BIS QCO compliance?

Yes. EPR authorisation is administered by the Central Pollution Control Board under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 and is independent of the BIS QCO obligation. Micro enterprises registered under the MSMED Act, 2006 are exempt; centralised air conditioning plants are excluded from EPR scope.

Are exemptions available from the BIS QCO requirement for split-system air conditioners?

Yes, limited exemptions exist under Para 2 of the controlling S.O. notifications as amended — refer S.O. 4354(E) dated 05-12-2019 and subsequent amendment notifications up to S.O. 1815(E) dated 17-04-2025. Each amendment notification must be reviewed in sequence as exemption categories have changed over time.

Does a single CM/L licence cover both split-type and unitary window-type air conditioners?

No. IS 1391 Part 1 (unitary) and Part 2 (split) are separately licensed; a CM/L covering one part does not extend to the other. IS 8148:2018 for ducted and packaged units is a further distinct licence scope.

Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-16. Source: BIS / BEE / CPCB / MEFCC / DGFT / Indian Customs CUSDATA.