Having a power handling capacity exceeding 1 kVA but not exceeding 16 kVA

Oil-immersed distribution transformers, 1 kVA to 16 kVA

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · IS 1180 · BEE OVERLAY

HSN 8504 32 00 (oil-immersed distribution transformers of 1 kVA to 16 kVA) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 1180 (Part 1) is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 07 May 2015 under the Electrical Transformers (Quality Control) Order, 2015. Bureau of Energy Efficiency labelling compliance applies as a separate customs-clearance overlay.

What this is

HSN code

8504 32 00

Chapter

85 · Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 1180 (Part 1) · effective 07-05-2015

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

BEEBEE·Bureau of Energy Efficiency

BISBIS·Bureau of Indian Standards

Compliance steps

1
Source only from a Bureau of Indian Standards CM/L-licensed manufacturer holding a current licence against IS 1180 (Part 1) for outdoor-type oil-immersed distribution transformers. Verify the CM/L number, licensed product scope (kVA rating, voltage class, phase configuration, sealed or non-sealed type), and manufacturing facility on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order.
Electrical Transformers (Quality Control) Order, 2015 · S.O. 1221(E) dated 07-05-2015
2
Confirm the licensed scope covers the exact transformer variant being imported: three-phase ratings up to 200 kVA (non-sealed and sealed), three-phase ratings above 200 kVA up to 2500 kVA (non-sealed and sealed), or single-phase ratings up to 25 kVA sealed type. A CM/L covering one sub-category does not extend to another.
IS 1180 (Part 1) · S.O. 1221(E) dated 07-05-2015
3
Ensure every transformer unit bears the ISI mark and the supplier's CM/L licence number, marked on the transformer nameplate or affixed label in accordance with the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Marking on packaging alone does not satisfy the product-level marking requirement.
Scheme-I of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · Electrical Transformers (Quality Control) Order, 2015
4
Ensure compliance with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (Appliance Labelling and Compliance) Regulations, 2026 for transformers within the notified labelling scope. The BEE labelling reference must accompany the consignment-level documentation on the bill of entry.
BEE Notification 5506/BEE/S&L/AL/2025-26 dated 26-12-2025
5
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number on the bill of entry as required under General Note 2 to the Import Policy. Customs verifies the CM/L in real time against the BIS register; an absent, expired, or scope-mismatched CM/L triggers consignment detention.
General Note 2 to the ITC (HS) Import Policy · BIS Act, 2016 · Customs Act, 1962

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is presenting a CM/L licence that covers a different kVA sub-range or phase configuration than the consignment being imported — for example, a licence scoped to three-phase non-sealed units presented for a single-phase sealed consignment. IS 1180 (Part 1) differentiates product sub-categories with granularity, and BIS portal verification at Customs matches the declared sub-category against the licensed scope character-for-character. Confirm the exact sub-category designation with the supplier before the purchase order, not at the port gate.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8504 32 00 require BIS certification?

Yes. Outdoor-type oil-immersed distribution transformers under this tariff line require Bureau of Indian Standards certification under the ISI Mark Scheme against IS 1180 (Part 1), mandatory from 07 May 2015 under S.O. 1221(E).

Is Bureau of Energy Efficiency labelling required separately from BIS QCO compliance?

Yes. BEE labelling under the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (Appliance Labelling and Compliance) Regulations, 2026 is an independent overlay administered by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency and must be addressed separately from the BIS CM/L obligation.

Does IS 1180 (Part 1) cover all transformer configurations under this HSN?

IS 1180 (Part 1) covers mineral-oil-immersed outdoor distribution transformers up to 2500 kVA, 33 kV across three defined sub-categories; the CM/L licence is sub-category-specific and does not extend to configurations outside its licensed scope.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all kVA ratings and manufacturing facilities of the supplier?

No. The CM/L is specific to the kVA range, voltage class, phase configuration, sealed or non-sealed type, and named manufacturing facility; product variants or plants outside the licence scope are not covered and attract detention at customs.

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