Aerials and aerial reflectors of all kinds; parts suitable for use therewith

Aerials, aerial reflectors and parts for wireless communication

CPCB CLEARANCE · WPC CLEARANCE

HSN 8517 71 00 (Aerials and aerial reflectors of all kinds; parts suitable for use therewith) is subject to Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) import licensing under the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017 and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) authorisation under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022. Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment (MTCTE) certification obligations under DoT notifications and Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) import policy controls apply as additional clearance requirements.

What this is

HSN code

8517 71 00

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 from WPC
EPR authorisation from CPCB
Equipment Type Approval from DoT

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 a WPC import licence before shipment dispatch. For wireless equipment or products operating in a licence-exempt band with low transmission power, apply via the SaralSanchar portal at least 30 days prior to arrival; the Equipment Type Approval (ETA) certificate is auto-generated on self-declaration and accepted by customs — verify authenticity by QR code on the certificate.
CBIC Instruction 16/2022-CUS dated 21-07-2022; CBIC Instruction 23/2021 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
2
Confirm whether the specific aerial or antenna product falls within the MTCTE mandatory-certification list notified under DoT Notifications TEC/01/2017-TC dated 04-07-2019 and 23-06-2020, as amended vide 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. MTCTE-listed products require a valid certification before the bill of entry can obtain out-of-charge.
Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017; DoT Notification TEC/01/2017-TC dated 04-07-2019 and 23-06-2020; CBIC Instruction 15/2020-CUS dated 24-07-2020
3
Register for EPR authorisation with the Central Pollution Control Board under Schedule I of the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 (G.S.R. 801(E) dated 02-11-2022) for imports of parts, consumables, or spares of telephones or cellular telephones. EPR authorisation does not apply to micro-enterprises as defined under the MSME Development Act, 2006.
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 treating the SaralSanchar ETA self-declaration as a blanket substitute for a WPC import licence across all product sub-categories. The ETA self-declaration route is available only for licence-exempt-band, low-transmission-power devices; aerials and components intended for licensed-spectrum equipment or base-station infrastructure still require a formal WPC import licence, and submitting an ETA certificate for a non-exempt product constitutes a declaration violation — the certificate is cancelled and customs clearance is refused, triggering detention and demurrage.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8517 71 00 require BIS certification?

No, aerials and aerial reflectors under this tariff line are not covered by a BIS Quality Control Order. Import is instead governed by Wireless Planning and Coordination licensing under the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017, MTCTE certification requirements under DoT notifications, and CPCB EPR authorisation under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022.

Can base-station antennas such as eNodeB antennas be imported under HSN 8517 71 00?

No. Per CBIC Instructions 01/2018-CUS dated 15-01-2018 and 08/2017-CUS dated 17-06-2017, eNodeB antennas used at base transceiver stations in wireless telecommunication networks merit classification under HSN 8517 62 90, not 8517 71 00; filing under the wrong heading risks mis-declaration penalties.

Is EPR authorisation from CPCB required for all importers of aerials and parts under this HSN?

No. EPR authorisation under Schedule I of the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 is required for importers of parts, consumables, or spares of telephones and cellular telephones, but is explicitly exempt for micro-enterprises as defined under the MSME Development Act, 2006.

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