DC generators

DC generators of output not exceeding 750 watts

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · CRS SCHEME · IS 14286 · BEE OVERLAY · CPCB OVERLAY

HSN 8501 31 20 (DC generators) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Solar photovoltaic modules with blocking diodes fall within this tariff line per Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs Instruction 08/2018-Cus, requiring BIS registration under the Compulsory Registration Scheme against IS 14286 or IS 16077. Extended Producer Responsibility authorisation and Bureau of Energy Efficiency labelling apply as separate customs-clearance overlays.

What this is

HSN code

8501 31 20

Chapter

85 · Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof

BIS QCO

Applicable · Compulsory Registration Scheme · R-number required

Indian Standard

IS 14286 · effective 30-08-2017

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

BEEBEE·Bureau of Energy Efficiency

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
Verify the foreign supplier's BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme R-number on the BIS portal against IS 14286 for crystalline-silicon modules or IS 16077 for thin-film modules. The R-number must be model-specific and current on the shipping bill date.
Solar Photovoltaics, Systems, Devices and Components Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2017 · S.O. 2920(E) dated 30-08-2017 · S.O. 5259(E) dated 12-10-2018
2
Confirm the classification distinction with the supplier in writing before purchase: modules with blocking diodes (with or without bypass diodes) fall under HSN 8501; modules with only bypass diodes fall under HSN 8541. The bill of entry must reflect the actual diode topology of the consignment.
Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs Instruction 08/2018-Cus dated 06-04-2018
3
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.
Schedule I of the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 · G.S.R. 801(E) dated 02-11-2022
4
Ensure compliance with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (Appliance Labelling and Compliance) Regulations, 2026 for equipment within the labelling scope. The BEE labelling reference must accompany the consignment-level documentation.
BEE Notification 5506/BEE/S&L/AL/2025-26 dated 26-12-2025
5
Quote the supplier's BIS R-number, the CPCB EPR authorisation number, and the BEE labelling reference on the bill of entry. Customs verifies each against the issuing portal; any one absent, expired, or scope-mismatched triggers consignment detention.
Solar Photovoltaics, Systems, Devices and Components Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2017 · BIS Act, 2016 · Customs Act, 1962

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is misclassifying solar panel imports between HSN 8501 (blocking diodes present, BIS CRS applicable) and HSN 8541 (bypass diodes only, separate regime). Customs verifies diode topology against the supplier's data sheet at port; misdeclaration triggers retrospective duty recovery and a fresh BIS CRS verification cycle on the reclassified consignment. Confirm the supplier's panel-by-panel diode configuration in writing before the purchase order, not after the bill of entry is filed.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8501 31 20 require BIS certification?

Yes. Solar photovoltaic modules with blocking diodes are classified under this tariff line and require Bureau of Indian Standards registration under the Compulsory Registration Scheme against IS 14286 (crystalline-silicon) or IS 16077 (thin-film) with effect from 30 August 2017.

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 Compulsory Registration Scheme obligation. Micro enterprises as defined in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 are exempt.

Why are solar photovoltaic modules classified under HSN 8501 rather than HSN 8541?

Per Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs Instruction 08/2018-Cus, modules with blocking diodes (or both blocking and bypass diodes) are classifiable under HSN 8501; modules with only bypass diodes fall under HSN 8541. Diode topology, not the heading descriptor, governs classification.

Does a single Compulsory Registration Scheme R-number cover all module variants from the same manufacturer?

No. The R-number is model-specific; module variants outside the registered model code are not covered, and customs detains the consignment on a model-code mismatch with the BIS register.

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