Solid-state non-volatile storage devices

Solid-state non-volatile storage devices (USB external SSDs, flash drives)

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · CRS SCHEME · IS 13252

HSN 8523 51 00 (solid-state non-volatile storage devices) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 13252 (Part 1): 2010, IS 616: 2017, or IS/IEC 62368 (Part 1): 2023 is mandatory under the Compulsory Registration Scheme with effect from 18 March 2021 under the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirements of Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021. Directorate General of Foreign Trade and Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs policy controls apply as separate customs-clearance overlays.

What this is

HSN code

8523 51 00

Chapter

85 · Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof

BIS QCO

Applicable · Compulsory Registration Scheme · R-number required

Indian Standard

IS 13252 · effective 18-03-2021

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

BISBIS·Bureau of Indian Standards

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 13252 (Part 1): 2010, IS 616: 2017, or IS/IEC 62368 (Part 1): 2023, as applicable to the specific product. USB-type external solid-state storage devices above 256 GB capacity must be registered against IS/IEC 62368 (Part 1): 2023.
Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirements of Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021 · S.O. 1248(E) dated 18-03-2021 · S.O. 4997(E) dated 29-10-2025
2
Confirm which concurrent-running window applies: for goods at serial no. 65, IS 13252 (Part 1): 2010 and IS 616: 2017 may run concurrently with IS/IEC 62368 (Part 1): 2023 until 01-05-2026; for all other goods under this order, concurrent running is permitted until 01-11-2028, after which IS 13252 (Part 1): 2010 and IS 616: 2017 stand withdrawn.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
Ensure each unit bears the BIS standard mark under a licence from Bureau of Indian Standards per Scheme-II of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Marking must appear on the product itself and on the retail packaging.
Scheme-II of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · S.O. 1248(E) dated 18-03-2021
4
Comply with DGFT Notification 13/24-25 dated 20-05-2024 with respect to paragraph 2.31(1)(b) of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, paragraph 2(c) of the general notes to the import policy, and policy condition 5 of Chapter 85 before filing the bill of entry.
DGFT Notification 13/24-25 dated 20-05-2024 · Policy condition 5 of Chapter 85 · FTP 2023 para 2.31(1)(b)
5
Ensure compliance with paragraphs 1 to 4 of CBIC Instruction 27/2025-Cus dated 26-08-2025. Quote the supplier's BIS R-number on the bill of entry; Customs verifies the R-number in real time against the BIS register, and an absent, expired, or scope-mismatched registration triggers consignment detention.
CBIC Instruction 27/2025-Cus dated 26-08-2025 · BIS Act, 2016 · Customs Act, 1962

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is overlooking the capacity-based IS split: USB-type external solid-state storage devices above 256 GB must be registered against IS/IEC 62368 (Part 1): 2023, while other variants may still run on IS 13252 (Part 1): 2010 or IS 616: 2017 within the concurrent-running window. An R-number obtained against the older standard for an above-256 GB external SSD is treated as scope-mismatched at the port, resulting in detention regardless of the licence's current validity. Verify both the capacity specification and the applicable IS standard on the supplier's R-number certificate before placing the purchase order.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8523 51 00 require BIS certification?

Yes. Solid-state non-volatile storage devices under this tariff line require Bureau of Indian Standards registration under the Compulsory Registration Scheme against IS 13252 (Part 1): 2010, IS 616: 2017, or IS/IEC 62368 (Part 1): 2023, with effect from 18 March 2021 under S.O. 1248(E).

Until when can suppliers continue to use IS 13252 (Part 1): 2010 and IS 616: 2017?

For goods at serial no. 65, concurrent running with IS/IEC 62368 (Part 1): 2023 is permitted until 01 May 2026. For all other goods covered by the order, concurrent running is permitted until 01 November 2028, after which the older standards stand withdrawn.

Do USB-type external SSDs above 256 GB have a different standard requirement?

Yes. USB-type external solid-state storage devices above 256 GB capacity must conform to and bear the standard mark under IS/IEC 62368 (Part 1): 2023; the older IS 13252 or IS 616 registrations do not cover this sub-category.

Does a single Compulsory Registration Scheme R-number cover all storage device models from the same manufacturer?

No. The R-number is model-specific and standard-specific; device models outside the registered model code or registered against a different IS standard are not covered, and Customs detains the consignment on a model-code or standard mismatch.

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