Base stations

Base stations for wireless telecommunication networks

CPCB CLEARANCE

HSN 8517 61 00 (Base stations) is subject to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) authorisation under Schedule I of the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 for import of BTS equipment — all components excluding the tower structure. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) applies classification-verification overlays, and multichannel GSM/CDMA transceivers operating on two or more frequencies simultaneously are Restricted under General Note 16 of the ITC (HS) policy.

What this is

HSN code

8517 61 00

Chapter

85 · Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof

Primary regulator

CPCB · E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 — EPR authorisation, Schedule I

Customs documentation

EPR authorisation from CPCB
MTCTE certificate from DoT/TEC
ITC (HS) policy 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 import of BTS equipment — all components excluding the tower structure — before filing the bill of entry. EPR authorisation is not required for micro-enterprises as defined under the MSME Development Act, 2006; importers claiming the exemption must document their Udyam registration.
Schedule I of the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 · G.S.R. 801(E) dated 02-11-2022
2
Verify that the base-station equipment carries mandatory certification under the Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment (MTCTE) scheme in compliance with the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017 and DoT Notification F.No.5-2/2024-TC/TEC(Pt.1) dated 25-02-2025. Confirm the product falls within the current MTCTE notified list before shipment.
Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017 · DoT/TEC Notification F.No.5-2/2024-TC/TEC(Pt.1) dated 25-02-2025 · TEC/01/2017-TC dated 04-07-2019 as amended vide F.No.5-2/2021-TC/TEC/131 dated 13-06-2022
3
Confirm that the equipment is correctly classified under HSN 8517 61 00. eNodeB and antenna units used at a base transceiver station/Node B/eNodeB in a wireless network merit classification under 8517 62 90 per CBIC Instructions 01/2018-CUS and 08/2017-CUS; a misclassification triggers re-assessment and detention.
CBIC Instruction 01/2018-CUS dated 15-01-2018 · CBIC Instruction 08/2017-CUS dated 17-06-2017

A word of counsel

The classification boundary between 8517 61 00 and 8517 62 90 is the single most consequential error on this tariff line: eNodeB units and base-transceiver-station antennas are expressly directed to 8517 62 90 by CBIC Instructions 01/2018-CUS and 08/2017-CUS, and filing under 8517 61 00 for such goods triggers re-assessment, differential duty demand, and potential detention. Additionally, importers who rely on the MSME micro-enterprise EPR exemption must carry active Udyam registration — lapsed or absent documentation converts the exemption into a compliance breach under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8517 61 00 require BIS certification?

No, base stations under this tariff line are not covered by a BIS Quality Control Order. The operative frameworks are CPCB Extended Producer Responsibility authorisation under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 and mandatory MTCTE certification under the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017 administered by the Department of Telecommunications.

Does the CPCB EPR authorisation apply to every importer of BTS equipment?

No. EPR authorisation is required for all importers of BTS components (excluding tower structure) except micro-enterprises as defined under the MSME Development Act, 2006; such enterprises must hold and produce current Udyam registration to claim the exemption at the bill of entry.

Are multichannel GSM or CDMA transceivers freely importable under this heading?

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

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