Attachments for telephones

Telephone attachments and accessories for wired or wireless networks

CPCB CLEARANCE · WPC CLEARANCE

HSN 8517 69 70 (Attachments for telephones) is subject to Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) import licensing under the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017 and Department of Telecommunications notifications, including mandatory testing and certification under the Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment (MTCTE) framework. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) authorisation under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 applies for answering systems. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) ITC (HS) policy conditions 3 and 4 of Chapter 85 govern the import policy overlay.

What this is

HSN code

8517 69 70

Chapter

85 · Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof

Primary regulator

WPC · Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017; CPCB · E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022

Customs documentation

Import licence or ETA certificate from WPC
MTCTE certification from TEC
EPR authorisation from CPCB

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
Determine whether the telephone attachment operates in a licensed or licence-exempt wireless band. For licensed-band equipment, obtain a WPC import licence by applying through the SaralSanchar portal at least 30 days before shipment arrival; the system-generated certificate is downloadable within 48 hours of application and is verifiable by customs via QR code. For licence-exempt low-power equipment, obtain Equipment Type Approval (ETA) through self-declaration on SaralSanchar.
CBIC Instruction 23/2021-CUS dated 23-11-2021 · CBIC Instruction 16/2022-CUS dated 21-07-2022 · CBIC Instruction 24/2024-CUS dated 22-10-2024 · DoT letter R-11018/05/2019-PP dated 29-03-2019
2
If the product falls within the MTCTE-notified list — including PABX, ISDN CPE, cordless telephone, modem, G3 fax machine, key telephone systems, SDH equipment, multiplexing equipment, PON ONT/ONU/OLT, and feedback devices — ensure mandatory testing and certification under the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017 before import. Upload the MTCTE certificate in e-Sanchit and confirm compliance with 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.
CBIC Instruction 15/2020-CUS dated 24-07-2020 · DoT notification TEC/01/2017-TC dated 04-07-2019 and 23-06-2020
3
If importing answering systems, verify that a CPCB Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) authorisation is in place under Schedule I of the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 before the bill of entry is filed. The EPR obligation does not apply to micro-enterprises as defined under the MSME Development Act, 2006; maintain documentary evidence of micro-enterprise status if claiming this exemption.
E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 · G.S.R. 801(E) dated 02-11-2022

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is conflating the WPC self-declaration ETA route — available only for licence-exempt, low-transmission-power devices — with the full WPC import licence required for licensed-band wireless equipment. Importing licensed-band equipment under an ETA certificate constitutes a licence violation; the SaralSanchar-generated certificate is automatically cancelled and the consignment is liable to seizure under the Indian Telegraph Act. Verify the operating frequency and transmission power of the product against the DoT licence-exempt schedule before choosing the applicable WPC pathway.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8517 69 70 require BIS certification?

No, no BIS Quality Control Order covers telephone attachments under this tariff line. Import is governed by Wireless Planning and Coordination licensing under the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017, MTCTE mandatory certification for notified telecom products, and CPCB EPR authorisation under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 for answering systems.

Which telecom products under this HSN are subject to MTCTE mandatory certification?

The notified list includes executive telephone systems, NSD/ISD payphones, electronic telephone instruments, key telephone systems, 2-line feature phones, coin box telephones, PSTN terminals, CLIP phones, modems, G3 fax machines, ISDN CPE, cordless telephones, PABX, SDH equipment, multiplexing equipment, PON ONT/ONU/OLT, and feedback devices, per DoT notifications TEC/01/2017-TC dated 04-07-2019 and 23-06-2020 as amended.

Does the EPR authorisation requirement apply to all importers of answering systems?

No. The CPCB EPR authorisation under Schedule I of the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 does not apply to micro-enterprises as defined in the MSME Development Act, 2006; importers claiming this exemption must retain evidence of their micro-enterprise status at the bill-of-entry stage.

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