SIM Cards

SIM cards for telecommunications networks

PARTNER GOVERNMENT AGENCY CLEARANCE

HSN 8523 52 10 (SIM Cards) is subject to mandatory type-approval certification under the Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment (MTCTE) scheme administered by the Telecommunications Engineering Centre (TEC) under the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017. TEC notifications 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 govern the current list of notified telecom products requiring mandatory certification before import.

What this is

HSN code

8523 52 10

Chapter

85 · Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof

Primary regulator

TEC · Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017 — MTCTE mandatory certification

Customs documentation

MTCTE type-approval certificate from TEC
Mandatory certification declaration to CBIC

Compliance steps

1
Obtain MTCTE type-approval certification from the Telecommunications Engineering Centre for the specific SIM card model before shipment. SIM Cards appear on the notified list of telecom products requiring mandatory certification under TEC Notification TEC/01/2017-TC dated 04-07-2019, 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.
Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017 · TEC Notification TEC/01/2017-TC dated 04-07-2019 · F.No.5-2/2021-TC/TEC/131 dated 13-06-2022 · F.No.5-2/2024-TC/TEC (Pt.1) dated 25-02-2025
2
Upload the MTCTE type-approval certificate in e-Sanchit at the bill of entry stage and ensure the document is available for verification by the proper officer before out-of-charge. Consignments without a valid, model-specific MTCTE certificate are liable to detention pending regularisation or re-export.
Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017 · TEC/01/2017-TC as amended vide F.No.5-2/2024-TC/TEC (Pt.1) dated 25-02-2025

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is presenting a MTCTE certificate obtained for one SIM card model or form factor and applying it to a variant with different specifications — the MTCTE regime requires model-specific type approval, and a certificate covering a parent model does not automatically extend to derivative SKUs. An amended notification list under F.No.5-2/2024-TC/TEC (Pt.1) dated 25-02-2025 should be verified against each shipment's product specifications; mismatches identified during customs examination result in consignment detention and potential re-export at the importer's cost.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8523 52 10 require BIS certification?

No, SIM Cards are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the mandatory MTCTE type-approval certification regime administered by the Telecommunications Engineering Centre under the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017.

Which TEC notification governs the current MTCTE product list for SIM cards?

The operative notification is F.No.5-2/2024-TC/TEC (Pt.1) dated 25-02-2025, which amends the earlier list established under TEC/01/2017-TC dated 04-07-2019 and further amended by F.No.5-2/2021-TC/TEC/131 dated 13-06-2022.

Can a single MTCTE certificate cover multiple SIM card models in one shipment?

Each model requires its own valid type-approval certificate; a certificate issued for one model does not extend to variants with differing specifications, and commingling uncertified models in a single consignment exposes the entire shipment to detention under the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017.

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