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Headphones and earphones, wired and wireless (over-ear, in-ear, neckband)

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · CRS SCHEME · IS 616 · WPC OVERLAY

HSN 8518 30 19 (headphones and earphones, other) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 616:2017 (or IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 during the concurrent-running window) is mandatory under the Compulsory Registration Scheme with effect from 18 March 2021. Wireless Planning and Coordination Equipment Type Approval applies as a separate customs-clearance overlay for wireless variants.

What this is
HSN code
8518 30 19
Chapter
85 · Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof
BIS QCO
Applicable · Compulsory Registration Scheme · R-number required
Indian Standard
IS 616 · effective 18-03-2021
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. 1
    Verify the foreign supplier's BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme R-number on the BIS portal against IS 616:2017, IS 13252 (Part 1):2010, or IS/IEC 62368-1:2023, as appropriate for the model. The R-number must be model-specific, current on the shipping bill date, and cover the exact variant being imported.
    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. 2
    Confirm which concurrent-running standard applies to the specific product. Wireless microphones and wireless headphones/earphones at serial no. 65 of the Order may run concurrently on IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 or IS 616:2017 with IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 only until 1 May 2026; all other goods in the Order have a concurrent-running window until 1 November 2028.
    S.O. 4997(E) dated 29-10-2025 · Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021 · General Note 2(c) of the Import Policy
  3. 3
    For wireless headphones and earphones operating in licence-exempt bands with low transmission power, obtain Equipment Type Approval through self-declaration on the SaralSanchar portal. Apply to the Department of Telecommunications at least 30 days before shipment arrival; the system-generated certificate is downloadable 48 hours after application.
    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 · CBIC Instruction 23/2021 dated 23-11-2021
  4. 4
    Confirm classification before filing the bill of entry. Bluetooth wireless headsets for phones are classifiable under CTH 8517 62, not HSN 8518 30 19; multifunction speaker systems fall under CTH 8519 or 8527. Misdeclaration triggers reclassification, retrospective duty recovery, and a fresh BIS verification cycle.
    CBIC Circular 36/2013-CUS dated 05-09-2013 · CBIC Circular 27/13-CUS dated 01-08-2013
  5. 5
    Quote the BIS R-number and, for wireless variants, the SaralSanchar ETA certificate reference on the bill of entry. Ensure compliance with DGFT Notification 13/24-25 dated 20-05-2024 with respect to paragraph 2.31(1)(b) of the FTP-2023 and policy condition 5 of Chapter 85, and with CBIC Instruction 27/2025-CUS dated 26-08-2025.
    DGFT Notification 13/24-25 dated 20-05-2024 · CBIC Instruction 27/2025-CUS dated 26-08-2025 · Policy condition 5 of Chapter 85
A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is importing wireless headphones or earphones without securing Wireless Planning and Coordination Equipment Type Approval before the shipment arrives — treating ETA as a post-arrival formality rather than a pre-shipment obligation with a mandatory 30-day application window. Absence of a valid SaralSanchar-generated certificate at the time of customs filing results in consignment detention regardless of the BIS R-number being current and in scope; customs verifies both independently.

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Frequently asked
Does HSN 8518 30 19 require BIS certification?
Yes. Headphones and earphones under this tariff line require a Bureau of Indian Standards Compulsory Registration Scheme R-number against IS 616:2017, IS 13252 (Part 1):2010, or IS/IEC 62368-1:2023, with effect from 18 March 2021 under S.O. 1248(E).
Is Wireless Planning and Coordination Equipment Type Approval required separately from BIS compliance?
Yes, for wireless variants. ETA is administered by the Department of Telecommunications through the SaralSanchar portal and is independent of the BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme; the certificate must be obtained at least 30 days before shipment arrival.
Until when can suppliers use IS 616:2017 or IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 instead of IS/IEC 62368-1:2023?
For wireless microphones and wireless headphones/earphones at serial no. 65 of the Order, concurrent running ends 1 May 2026. For all other goods in the Order, concurrent running ends 1 November 2028, after which IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 and IS 616:2017 are withdrawn.
Does one R-number cover all headphone variants from the same manufacturer?
No. The R-number is model-specific under the Compulsory Registration Scheme; 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.
Related
StandardIS 62368ChapterChapter 85 · Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereofIndustryElectronics & IT industry