Wireless

Wireless microphones, headphones and earphones

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · CRS SCHEME · IS 62368 · WPC OVERLAY

HSN 8518 29 10 (wireless loudspeakers and related audio apparatus) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS/IEC 62368 Part 1:2023 is mandatory under the Compulsory Registration Scheme with effect from 23 November 2021, by virtue of the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021. Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing import licensing and Equipment Type Approval apply as separate customs-clearance overlays.

What this is

HSN code

8518 29 10

Chapter

85 · Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof

BIS QCO

Applicable · Compulsory Registration Scheme · R-number required

Indian Standard

IS 62368 · effective 23-11-2021

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
Verify the foreign supplier's BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme R-number on the BIS portal against IS/IEC 62368 Part 1:2023 (or the concurrent IS 13252 Part 1:2010 or IS 616:2017 where still valid). The R-number must be model-specific and current on the bill of lading date.
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 the concurrent-running window before shipment: for goods at serial no. 65 of the QCO schedule, IS 13252 Part 1:2010 and IS 616:2017 run concurrently with IS/IEC 62368 Part 1:2023 until 01-05-2026; for all other notified goods the concurrent window extends to 01-11-2028, after which IS 13252 Part 1:2010 and IS 616:2017 stand withdrawn.
S.O. 4997(E) dated 29-10-2025 · General Note 2(c) of the ITC (HS) Import Policy
3
Obtain Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing import licensing before shipment for wireless equipment operating in licensed bands. For licence-exempt, low-power wireless equipment, obtain Equipment Type Approval via self-declaration on the SaralSanchar portal and apply to the Department of Telecommunications at least 30 days before the expected arrival date.
CBIC Instruction 16/2022-CUS dated 21-07-2022 · CBIC Instruction 24/2024-CUS dated 22-10-2024 · DoT OM F.No. R-11017/02/2021-PP dated 21-10-2021
4
Quote the BIS R-number and the WPC/ETA certificate reference on the bill of entry. Customs officers may verify the ETA certificate by scanning the QR code linking to the SaralSanchar portal; an absent, expired, or scope-mismatched R-number or ETA certificate triggers consignment detention.
CBIC Instruction 23/2021 dated 23-11-2021 · F.No. 401/74/2021-CUS-III · BIS Act, 2016 · Customs Act, 1962
5
Ensure compliance with DGFT Notification 13/24-25 dated 20-05-2024 and CBIC Instruction 27/2025-CUS dated 26-08-2025, and confirm the correct tariff classification: Bluetooth wireless headsets for phones are classifiable under CTH 8517 62, not HSN 8518 29 10, and multifunction speaker systems fall under CTH 8519 or 8527.
DGFT Notification 13/24-25 dated 20-05-2024 · CBIC Instruction 27/2025-CUS dated 26-08-2025 · CBIC Circular 36/2013-CUS dated 05-09-2013 · CBIC Circular 27/2013-CUS dated 01-08-2013

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is importing wireless audio devices—particularly Bluetooth headsets—under HSN 8518 29 10 when the correct classification is CTH 8517 62 (per CBIC Circular 36/2013-CUS), triggering a reclassification demand, retrospective duty recovery, and a fresh BIS CRS verification cycle. Equally, importers who obtain the BIS R-number but overlook the WPC import licence or ETA certificate face port detention on the wireless-equipment overlay that is entirely independent of BIS clearance.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8518 29 10 require BIS certification?

Yes. Wireless microphones, headphones, and earphones under this tariff line require a Bureau of Indian Standards Compulsory Registration Scheme R-number against IS/IEC 62368 Part 1:2023 (or a concurrent IS 13252 Part 1:2010 or IS 616:2017 within the permitted window) with effect from 23 November 2021.

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

Yes. WPC import licensing or Equipment Type Approval via the SaralSanchar portal is administered by the Department of Telecommunications and is independent of the BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme; both must be in order before customs clearance.

Until when can suppliers continue to certify against IS 13252 Part 1:2010 or IS 616:2017 instead of IS/IEC 62368 Part 1:2023?

For goods at serial no. 65 of the QCO schedule, concurrent running of IS 13252 Part 1:2010 and IS 616:2017 with IS/IEC 62368 Part 1:2023 is permitted until 01-05-2026. For all other notified goods, the concurrent window extends to 01-11-2028, after which the older standards stand withdrawn.

Does a single CRS R-number cover all wireless audio product variants from the same manufacturer?

No. The R-number is model-specific; product variants outside the registered model code are not covered, and customs detains the consignment on a model-code mismatch with the BIS register.

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