Hard disc drives

Hard disc drives, including USB-type external hard disk drives

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · CRS SCHEME · IS 13252

HSN 8471 70 20 (hard disc drives, including USB-type external hard disk drives) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 13252 or IS/IEC 62368 Part 1:2023 is mandatory under the Compulsory Registration Scheme with effect from 18 March 2021, pursuant to the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, S.O. 1248(E), as amended by S.O. 4997(E). Extended Producer Responsibility authorisation under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 applies as a separate customs-clearance overlay.

What this is

HSN code

8471 70 20

Chapter

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

BIS QCO

Applicable · Compulsory Registration Scheme · R-number required

Indian Standard

IS 13252 · effective 18-03-2021

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

BISBIS·Bureau of Indian Standards

Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

Compliance steps

1
Verify the foreign supplier's BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme R-number on the BIS portal against IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 or IS/IEC 62368 Part 1:2023, as applicable to the product model. The R-number must be model-specific and current on the date of the shipping bill.
Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order · S.O. 1248(E) dated 18-03-2021 · S.O. 4997(E) dated 29-10-2025
2
Identify which standard the supplier's R-number is registered against. For USB-type external hard disk drives, IS/IEC 62368 Part 1:2023 is specifically applicable; concurrent running of IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 and IS 616:2017 alongside IS/IEC 62368 Part 1:2023 is permitted only until the dates specified in S.O. 4997(E).
S.O. 4997(E) dated 29-10-2025 · General Note 2(c) of the Import Policy · Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order
3
Ensure each unit bears the BIS standard mark and the supplier's R-number under licence per Scheme-II of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Marking must appear on the product itself and be traceable to the registered model code.
Scheme-II of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · S.O. 1248(E) dated 18-03-2021
4
Obtain Extended Producer Responsibility authorisation from the relevant authority before import, and quote the EPR authorisation number on the bill of entry. Micro enterprises as defined under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 are exempt from the EPR requirement.
Schedule-I of the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 · G.S.R. 801(E) dated 02-11-2022
5
Ensure compliance with DGFT Notification 13/24-25 dated 20-05-2024 with respect to paragraph 2.31(1)(b) of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 and policy condition 2 of Chapter 84, and with CBIC Instruction 27/2025-Cus dated 26-08-2025 paragraphs 1 to 4. Quote the BIS R-number, EPR authorisation number, and any required DGFT/CBIC compliance references on the bill of entry.
DGFT Notification 13/24-25 dated 20-05-2024 · CBIC Instruction 27/2025-Cus dated 26-08-2025 · General Note 2(c) of the Import Policy

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is presenting a BIS R-number registered against IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 or IS 616:2017 for a USB-type external hard disk drive, when S.O. 4997(E) specifically prescribes IS/IEC 62368 Part 1:2023 for that product. Customs and BIS distinguish the applicable standard by serial number in the schedule; a model registered against a standard that does not cover its serial-number slot triggers R-number rejection and consignment detention, even though the supplier holds a facially valid BIS registration. Confirm the registered standard and schedule serial number with the supplier in writing before shipment.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8471 70 20 require BIS certification?

Yes. Hard disc drives and USB-type external hard disk drives are notified under the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, requiring a BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme R-number against IS 13252 or IS/IEC 62368 Part 1:2023 with effect from 18 March 2021.

Is Extended Producer Responsibility authorisation required separately from BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme compliance?

Yes. EPR authorisation under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 is administered independently of the BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme. Micro enterprises as defined under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 are exempt.

Can a supplier continue to use IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 or IS 616:2017 instead of IS/IEC 62368 Part 1:2023?

Only during the concurrent-running window specified in S.O. 4997(E). For USB-type external hard disk drives (serial number 65 in the schedule), concurrent running is permitted until 01-05-2026; after that date, IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 and IS 616:2017 are withdrawn and only IS/IEC 62368 Part 1:2023 remains valid.

Does a single BIS R-number cover all models and variants of hard disc drives from one manufacturer?

No. The R-number is model-specific; drives outside the registered model code, or registered against a different schedule serial number, are not covered and customs will detain the consignment on a model-code or standard mismatch.

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