Other telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks

Smartphones and other cellular and wireless network telephones

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · IS 16333 · WPC OVERLAY

HSN 8517 14 00 (other telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 16333 and IS/IEC 62368 (Part 1):2023 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 4 July 2019, under the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021. Wireless Planning and Coordination import licensing, Equipment Type Approval, and Extended Producer Responsibility authorisation apply as separate customs-clearance overlays.

What this is

HSN code

8517 14 00

Chapter

85 · Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 16333 · effective 04-07-2019

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

BISBIS·Bureau of Indian Standards

WPCWPC·Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing

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

Compliance steps

1
Source only from a Bureau of Indian Standards CM/L-licensed manufacturer holding a current licence against IS 16333 (including Part 3:2017 for Indian language support) and IS/IEC 62368 Part 1:2023. Verify the supplier's CM/L number, model scope, and licensed facility on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order.
Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021 · S.O. 1248(E) dated 18-03-2021 · S.O. 4997(E) dated 29-10-2025
2
Confirm that the concurrent-running window applies to your product: for goods at Serial No. 65 of the QCO, IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 and IS 616:2017 run concurrently with IS/IEC 62368 Part 1:2023 until 1 May 2026; for all other goods, concurrent running is permitted until 1 November 2028, after which IS 13252 and IS 616 are withdrawn.
S.O. 1248(E) dated 18-03-2021 as amended · S.O. 4997(E) dated 29-10-2025 · General Note 2(c) of the ITC (HS) Import Policy
3
Obtain Wireless Planning and Coordination import licensing for wireless equipment before shipment, or obtain an Equipment Type Approval certificate via saralsanchar.gov.in for licence-exempt, low-power wireless devices. Either authorisation must accompany the bill of entry.
CBIC Instruction 16/22-CUS dated 21-07-2022 · DoT letter ETA-WPC/Policy/2018-19 dated 12-04-2019 · CBIC Instruction 24/24-CUS dated 22-10-2024
4
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
5
Ensure every handset carries a valid IMEI number (not all-zeroes) before filing the bill of entry; CDMA phones must carry a valid ESN/MEID. Quote the BIS CM/L number, WPC licence or ETA certificate reference, and EPR authorisation on the bill of entry. Comply with CBIC Instruction 27/2025-CUS paragraphs 1 to 4.
ITC (HS) Import Policy (prohibition on zero-IMEI/ESN handsets) · CBIC Instruction 27/2025-CUS dated 26-08-2025 · DGFT Notification 13/24-25 dated 20-05-2024

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is treating the Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment framework and the Wireless Planning and Coordination import licence as the primary compliance obligation while overlooking the BIS QCO. The BIS CM/L licence against IS 16333 and IS/IEC 62368 Part 1:2023 is the statutory hook under which unmarked handsets are liable to confiscation at port — a clean WPC licence or ETA certificate does not cure the absence of a valid CM/L. Importers must also track the concurrent-running deadline applicable to their specific serial number under the QCO, as shipment against a withdrawn standard after the cut-off date triggers fresh detention.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8517 14 00 require BIS certification?

Yes. Conformity to IS 16333 and IS/IEC 62368 Part 1:2023 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme from 4 July 2019; import is permitted only from manufacturers holding a current BIS CM/L licence covering the specific model and facility.

Is Wireless Planning and Coordination licensing required separately from BIS QCO compliance?

Yes. WPC import licensing is administered by the Wireless Planning and Coordination wing of the Department of Telecommunications and is independent of the BIS QCO. Licence-exempt low-power wireless devices may instead submit an Equipment Type Approval certificate generated via saralsanchar.gov.in.

What is the concurrent-running window for IS 13252 and IS 616 alongside IS/IEC 62368 Part 1:2023?

For goods at Serial No. 65 of the QCO, concurrent running is permitted until 1 May 2026. For all other goods covered by the QCO, IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 and IS 616:2017 run concurrently with IS/IEC 62368 Part 1:2023 until 1 November 2028, after which both older standards are withdrawn.

Does one CM/L licence cover all handset models from the same manufacturer?

No. The CM/L is model-specific and facility-specific; handset variants or manufacturing plants outside the licensed scope are not covered, and customs detains the consignment on a scope mismatch with the BIS register.

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