Electric inverter

Static converter electric inverters (UPS, solar PV inverters, power adaptors)

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · CRS SCHEME · IS 16221 · BEE OVERLAY

HSN 8504 40 10 (electric inverters) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order under the Compulsory Registration Scheme. Conformity to IS 16221, IS 16169, IS 16242, IS 302, IS 13252, or IS 616 — depending on inverter type and application — is mandatory with effect from 17 August 2017 under S.O. 2742(E) and subsequent amendments. Extended Producer Responsibility authorisation and Bureau of Energy Efficiency labelling apply as separate customs-clearance overlays.

What this is

HSN code

8504 40 10

Chapter

85 · Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof

BIS QCO

Applicable · Compulsory Registration Scheme · R-number required

Indian Standard

IS 16221 · effective 17-08-2017

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

BEEBEE·Bureau of Energy Efficiency

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
Identify the applicable Indian Standard for the specific inverter type before sourcing: IS 16221 (Part 2):2015 for solar PV power inverters; IS 16169:2014 for utility-interconnected PV inverters with islanding prevention; IS 16242 (Part 1):2014 for UPS/inverters up to 10 kVA; IS 302 (Part 1):2008 for household-appliance adaptors; IS 13252 or IS 616 (with IS/IEC 62368 transition) for IT or audio-video equipment adaptors.
S.O. 2920(E) dated 30-08-2017; S.O. 2742(E) dated 17-08-2017; S.O. 5259(E) dated 12-10-2018; S.O. 5475(E) dated 27-12-2023; S.O. 1248(E) dated 18-03-2021; S.O. 4997(E) dated 29-10-2025
2
Verify the foreign manufacturer's BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme R-number on the BIS portal against the applicable IS. The R-number must be model-specific, current on the shipping date, and cover the rated capacity being imported — SPV inverters up to 100 kW implemented from 01-01-2024, full scope from 01-01-2025.
Solar Photovoltaics, Systems, Devices and Components Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2017 · S.O. 2920(E) dated 30-08-2017; Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement of Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021 · S.O. 1248(E) dated 18-03-2021
3
Note the concurrent-running window for IT and audio-video equipment adaptors: IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 and IS 616:2017 remain valid alongside IS/IEC 62368 (Part 1):2023 until 01-05-2026 for goods at Serial No. 65, and until 01-11-2028 for all other listed goods, after which IS 13252 and IS 616 are withdrawn.
Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement of Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021 · S.O. 4997(E) dated 29-10-2025; General Note 2(C) of the ITC (HS) Import Policy
4
Obtain Extended Producer Responsibility authorisation from the Central Pollution Control Board before import of UPS/inverters. MSMED Act 2006 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
5
Ensure compliance with DGFT Notification 13/24-25 dated 20-05-2024 regarding paragraph 2.31(1)(b) of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, paragraph 2(C) of the General Notes to the Import Policy, and Policy Condition 5 of Chapter 85. Also ensure compliance with CBIC Instruction 27/2025-Cus dated 26-08-2025 (paragraphs 1 to 4) and the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (Appliance Labelling and Compliance) Regulations, 2026.
DGFT Notification 13/24-25 dated 20-05-2024; CBIC Instruction 27/2025-Cus dated 26-08-2025; BEE Notification 5506/BEE/S&L/AL/2025-26 dated 26-12-2025

A word of counsel

The most common failure on this tariff line is applying a single R-number across multiple inverter product categories that require distinct IS certifications — for example, using an IS 16242-registered R-number for a solar PV inverter that must be registered against IS 16221 (Part 2):2015 or IS 16169:2014. Customs verifies the R-number against the exact IS and model code at port; a standard-category mismatch triggers detention of the entire consignment, not merely the non-conforming units. Map each SKU to its correct IS before the purchase order, not at the bill-of-entry stage.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8504 40 10 require BIS certification?

Yes. Electric inverters under this tariff line require Bureau of Indian Standards registration under the Compulsory Registration Scheme, with the applicable IS varying by product type — IS 16221, IS 16169, IS 16242, IS 302, IS 13252, or IS 616 — with effect from 17 August 2017.

Is EPR authorisation required separately from BIS QCO compliance?

Yes. Extended Producer Responsibility authorisation for UPS and inverters is administered by the Central Pollution Control Board under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 and is independent of the BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme. Micro enterprises as defined under the MSMED Act, 2006 are exempt.

What is the concurrent-running position for IS 13252 and IS 616 alongside IS/IEC 62368?

IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 and IS 616:2017 run concurrently with IS/IEC 62368 (Part 1):2023 until 01-05-2026 for Serial No. 65 goods and until 01-11-2028 for all other listed goods, after which IS 13252 and IS 616 are withdrawn per S.O. 4997(E).

Does a single R-number cover all inverter variants from the same manufacturer?

No. The R-number is model-specific and IS-specific; a manufacturer must hold separate registrations for each product category and model, and customs will detain any consignment where the declared R-number does not match the model code and applicable IS on the BIS register.

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