Cartridges or toners, without print head assembly

Printer cartridges and toners, without print head

CPCB CLEARANCE

HSN 8443 99 52 (Cartridges or toners, without print head assembly) is subject to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) authorisation under Schedule I of the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, notified vide G.S.R. 801(E) dated 02-11-2022. EPR authorisation must be obtained before importation; the obligation does not apply to micro enterprises as defined under the MSME Development Act, 2006.

What this is

HSN code

8443 99 52

Chapter

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

Primary regulator

CPCB · E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 (EPR authorisation, Schedule I)

Customs documentation

EPR authorisation from CPCB
MSME micro-enterprise certificate from MSME Ministry
Import declaration to CBIC

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

CPCBCPCB·Central Pollution Control Board

Compliance steps

1
Obtain Extended Producer Responsibility authorisation from the Central Pollution Control Board before importing cartridges or toners classified under this tariff line. Cartridges are listed as parts and consumables of printers under Schedule I of the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, and import without a current EPR authorisation is a violation of those Rules.
Schedule I of the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 · G.S.R. 801(E) dated 02-11-2022
2
Upload the CPCB EPR authorisation in e-Sanchit at the bill of entry stage. If the importer qualifies as a micro enterprise under the MSME Development Act, 2006, maintain documentary evidence of that status; the EPR obligation does not apply to such enterprises and the supporting Udyam registration should be available for verification by the proper officer.
E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 · G.S.R. 801(E) dated 02-11-2022

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is assuming that EPR authorisation is a post-import compliance requirement rather than a pre-import condition. A consignment arriving without a current CPCB EPR authorisation is liable to detention at the port; the micro-enterprise exemption is not self-executing and requires affirmative documentation of Udyam-registered micro-enterprise status — an importer who cannot produce it at the bill-of-entry stage will be treated as subject to the full EPR regime.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8443 99 52 require BIS certification?

No, printer cartridges and toners without a print head assembly are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the Central Pollution Control Board under Schedule I of the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, which requires Extended Producer Responsibility authorisation.

Does the EPR authorisation requirement apply to all importers of cartridges under this HSN?

No. The EPR obligation under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 does not apply to micro enterprises as defined in the MSME Development Act, 2006; all other importers must hold a current CPCB EPR authorisation before filing the bill of entry.

What happens if a non-micro-enterprise importer does not hold CPCB EPR authorisation at the time of import?

The consignment is liable to detention by customs until the authorisation is produced; continued non-compliance with the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 can attract monetary penalty and seizure of the goods under those Rules.

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