Synchronous digital hierarchy system (SDH)

Synchronous digital hierarchy system (SDH) for data transmission

CPCB CLEARANCE · WPC CLEARANCE

HSN 8517 62 60 (Synchronous digital hierarchy system, SDH) is subject to mandatory testing and certification under the Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment (MTCTE) regime administered by the Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) Wing of the Department of Telecommunications, pursuant to the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) authorisation under Schedule I of the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 applies as a concurrent overlay, alongside ITC (HS) policy conditions 3 and 4 of Chapter 85 administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).

What this is

HSN code

8517 62 60

Chapter

85 · Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof

Primary regulator

WPC · Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017 (MTCTE mandatory certification)

Customs documentation

MTCTE certification from WPC
EPR authorisation from CPCB
Import licence from DGFT

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

CPCBCPCB·Central Pollution Control Board

WPCWPC·Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing

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

Compliance steps

1
Obtain MTCTE certification from the WPC Wing of the Department of Telecommunications confirming the SDH equipment meets mandatory testing and certification requirements. SDH equipment is explicitly listed as subject to mandatory certification under the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017 and DoT notifications TEC/01/2017-TC dated 04-07-2019 and 23-06-2020, as amended by 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.
Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017 · DoT Notification TEC/01/2017-TC dated 04-07-2019 · CBIC Instruction 15/2020-CUS dated 24-07-2020 · CBIC Instruction 16/2022-CUS dated 21-07-2022
2
Verify and upload Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) authorisation from the Central Pollution Control Board at the bill of entry. Telecom transmission equipment falls under Schedule I of the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022; EPR applies to all importers except micro enterprises as defined under the MSMED Act, 2006.
E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 · G.S.R. 801(E) dated 02-11-2022
3
Confirm compliance with ITC (HS) policy conditions 3 and 4 of Chapter 85 before filing the bill of entry. Where any wireless functionality is present in the SDH equipment, also verify whether an Equipment Type Approval (ETA) or WPC import licence is required; telecom service providers may apply through the SaralSanchar portal at least 30 days prior to shipment arrival.
ITC (HS) policy conditions 3 and 4, Chapter 85 · CBIC Instruction 23/2021-CUS dated 23-11-2021 · CBIC Instruction 24/2024-CUS dated 22-10-2024 · DoT OM F.No.R-11017/02/2021-PP dated 21-10-2021

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is treating WPC import licensing and MTCTE certification as interchangeable or sequential steps rather than parallel, independent requirements. An SDH consignment that carries a WPC import licence but lacks MTCTE certification — or vice versa — will be detained at the port of import; neither clearance substitutes for the other. Additionally, importers routinely overlook the CPCB EPR authorisation because SDH equipment is not intuitively classified as e-waste-generating equipment, yet Schedule I of the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 expressly covers telecommunications transmission apparatus, and the absence of EPR authorisation is treated as a standalone customs-clearance deficiency.

Need a regulatory steer on this product?

Speak to a regulatory counsel about your specific HSN, IS, and supplier situation.

Speak to an Expert

Frequently asked

Does HSN 8517 62 60 require BIS certification?

No, no BIS Quality Control Order covers synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) equipment. Import is governed by mandatory MTCTE certification administered by the Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing under the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017, with a concurrent CPCB Extended Producer Responsibility obligation under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022.

Is Equipment Type Approval (ETA) through SaralSanchar applicable to SDH equipment?

ETA through self-declaration on the SaralSanchar portal applies to wireless equipment operating in licence-exempt bands with low transmission power; SDH equipment is subject to full MTCTE mandatory certification, and the self-declaration ETA route under CBIC Instruction 24/2024-CUS is not a substitute for that certification.

Are micro enterprises exempt from the CPCB EPR authorisation requirement for this HSN?

Yes. EPR authorisation under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 does not apply to micro enterprises as defined in the MSMED Act, 2006; all other importers of telecom transmission equipment under Schedule I must hold a current CPCB EPR authorisation before out-of-charge.

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