Other

Line telephone sets with cordless handsets, other types

CPCB CLEARANCE

HSN 8517 11 90 (line telephone sets with cordless handsets, other) is subject to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) authorisation requirements administered by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 (G.S.R. 801(E) dated 02-11-2022). Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment (MTCTE) certification under the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017 and Department of Telecommunications notifications applies to specified cordless telephone products within this tariff line. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) administers an additional overlay prohibiting import of devices with duplicate, fake, or non-genuine IMEI numbers.

What this is

HSN code

8517 11 90

Chapter

85 · Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof

Primary regulator

CPCB · E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 (G.S.R. 801(E) dated 02-11-2022)

Customs documentation

EPR authorisation from CPCB
MTCTE certificate from DoT/TEC
IMEI compliance declaration to CBIC

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

CPCBCPCB·Central Pollution Control Board

Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs.

Compliance steps

1
Obtain Extended Producer Responsibility authorisation from the Central Pollution Control Board covering telephones and cordless telephones under Schedule I of the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022. EPR authorisation is not required for micro enterprises as defined under the MSME Development Act, 2006; importers relying on this exemption must document their micro-enterprise status at the bill of entry.
E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 · G.S.R. 801(E) dated 02-11-2022
2
Verify whether the specific cordless telephone model falls within the list of telecom products notified under MTCTE and, if so, obtain mandatory certification under the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017 before import. The MTCTE product list has been updated by DoT notifications TEC/01/2017-TC dated 04-07-2019, 23-06-2020, F.No.5-2/2021-TC/TEC/131 dated 13-06-2022, and F.No.5-2/2024-TC/TEC(Pt.1) dated 25-02-2025; confirm the applicable notification version before filing.
Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017 · DoT Notification TEC/01/2017-TC dated 04-07-2019 and 23-06-2020 · F.No.5-2/2021-TC/TEC/131 dated 13-06-2022 · F.No.5-2/2024-TC/TEC(Pt.1) dated 25-02-2025 · CBIC Instruction 15/2020-CUS dated 24-07-2020
3
Confirm that all handsets in the consignment carry genuine, non-duplicate IMEI numbers in accordance with the CBIC Standard Operating Procedure (Version 1.1) for implementation of the Central Government notification prohibiting import of mobile phones with duplicate, fake, or non-genuine IMEI. Note also that multichannel GSM/CDMA receivers, transmitters, and transceivers of two or more frequencies simultaneously are Restricted under General Note 16 of the ITC (HS) import policy.
CBIC Instruction 12/2022-Customs dated 07-07-2022 · DoT Office Memorandum F.No.5-2/2018/UDS dated 04-07-2022 · General Note 16 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is assuming that MTCTE certification obtained under an earlier DoT notification remains current when the notified product list has subsequently been amended. The DoT notifications have been revised four times between 2019 and 2025; an MTCTE certificate referencing a superseded notification version will be rejected at the bill of entry, triggering consignment detention and demurrage. Verify the certificate against the latest notified list — F.No.5-2/2024-TC/TEC(Pt.1) dated 25-02-2025 — before shipment.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8517 11 90 require BIS certification?

No, no BIS Quality Control Order covers line telephone sets with cordless handsets under this residual tariff line. Import is governed by the Central Pollution Control Board under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 for EPR authorisation and by the Department of Telecommunications MTCTE regime under the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017 for mandatory product certification.

Does the EPR authorisation requirement apply to all importers of cordless telephone equipment?

No. EPR authorisation under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 (G.S.R. 801(E) dated 02-11-2022) does not apply to micro enterprises as defined under the MSME Development Act, 2006; importers claiming this exemption must maintain and present documentation of their micro-enterprise status.

Are multichannel GSM or CDMA transceivers operating on two or more frequencies permitted under this tariff line?

No. Multichannel GSM/CDMA receivers, transmitters, and transceivers capable of operating on two or more frequencies simultaneously are Restricted under General Note 16 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy and require specific authorisation before import.

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