Fire extinguishers, whether or not charged

Portable and wheeled fire extinguishers, charged or uncharged

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME

HSN 8424 10 00 (fire extinguishers, whether or not charged) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 15683:2018 (portable) or IS 16018:2012 (wheeled) is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 12 February 2024, under the Fire Extinguishers (Quality Control) Order, 2023. Directorate General of Foreign Trade licensing under the ODS Rules, 2000 applies as a separate customs-clearance overlay for extinguishers containing scheduled substances.

What this is

HSN code

8424 10 00

Chapter

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

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 15683:2018 / IS 16018:2012 · effective 12-02-2024

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

BISBIS·Bureau of Indian Standards

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

Compliance steps

1
Verify the foreign manufacturer holds a current BIS CM/L licence against IS 15683:2018 for portable fire extinguishers or IS 16018:2012 for wheeled fire extinguishers. Confirm the 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 · Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
2
Ensure every extinguisher bears the ISI mark and the supplier's CM/L number as required under Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Marking must appear on the product itself, not only on the outer packaging.
Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · Fire Extinguishers (Quality Control) Order, 2023 · S.O. 3585(E) dated 09-08-2023
3
Determine whether the extinguisher contains an ODS-scheduled substance. If it does, obtain an import licence from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under Rule 10 of the Ozone Depleting Substances Rules, 2000. If it does not, ensure the product carries a label stating it contains no ODS before import.
Rule 10 of the ODS Rules, 2000 · General Note 8(a) of the ITC (HS) Import Policy
4
Note the staggered enforcement dates: the BIS QCO obligation applies from 12-02-2024 for large enterprises, 12-05-2024 for small enterprises, and 12-08-2024 for micro enterprises as defined under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006. Quote the applicable enforcement date and enterprise classification on the compliance record.
Fire Extinguishers (Quality Control) Order, 2023 · S.O. 3585(E) dated 09-08-2023 · Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006
5
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number and the applicable IS standard on the bill of entry, together with the DGFT ODS licence number or the no-ODS label declaration. Customs verifies the CM/L in real time; an absent, expired, or scope-mismatched licence triggers consignment detention.
Fire Extinguishers (Quality Control) Order, 2023 · BIS Act, 2016 · Customs Act, 1962

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is applying a single CM/L licence indiscriminately to both portable and wheeled extinguishers. IS 15683:2018 and IS 16018:2012 are distinct standards with separate CM/L scopes — a supplier licensed only against IS 15683:2018 cannot lawfully supply wheeled units, and customs detention follows any scope mismatch. Verify the supplier's licensed product type (portable versus wheeled) explicitly against the licence scope on the BIS register before shipment.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8424 10 00 require BIS certification?

Yes. Fire extinguishers must conform to IS 15683:2018 (portable) or IS 16018:2012 (wheeled) under the ISI Mark Scheme, mandatory from 12 February 2024 under the Fire Extinguishers (Quality Control) Order, 2023; import is permitted only from manufacturers holding a current BIS CM/L licence.

Is a DGFT import licence required for all fire extinguishers?

Only for extinguishers containing ODS-scheduled substances under Schedule VII of the ODS Rules, 2000. Extinguishers that do not contain ODS are not subject to the licence requirement but must carry a label confirming the absence of ODS before import.

Do the staggered enforcement dates affect currently imported consignments?

All three enterprise-category deadlines have now passed — 12-02-2024 for large enterprises, 12-05-2024 for small enterprises, and 12-08-2024 for micro enterprises. The BIS QCO obligation applies to all importers regardless of enterprise size from 12 August 2024 onwards.

Does one CM/L licence cover both portable and wheeled fire extinguisher models from the same manufacturer?

No. IS 15683:2018 and IS 16018:2012 are separate standards; a manufacturer requires distinct CM/L licences for each product type, and the licensed scope must match the specific model being imported.

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