Direction finding equipment

Radio navigational aid direction finding equipment

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 8526 91 30 (Direction finding equipment) is subject to mandatory certification under the Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment (MTCTE) scheme, administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and enforced through the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017 and Telecommunications Engineering Centre (TEC) notifications. The tariff line carries a Restricted-import status under the ITC (HS) policy, and importers must demonstrate MTCTE conformance before out-of-charge clearance.

What this is

HSN code

8526 91 30

Chapter

85 · Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) Restricted import policy, Chapter 85; Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017

Customs documentation

MTCTE certification from TEC
Import Licence from DGFT
TEC notification compliance declaration

Compliance steps

1
Obtain MTCTE certification for the direction finding equipment from the Telecommunications Engineering Centre before shipment. The product must appear on the notified list of telecom products subject to mandatory certification under TEC Notification F.No.5-2/2024-TC/TEC (Pt.1) dated 25-02-2025, as amended.
Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017 · TEC Notification TEC/01/2017-TC dated 04-07-2019 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
2
Confirm the import is permissible under the ITC (HS) Restricted-import policy administered by DGFT. Upload the MTCTE certificate and any DGFT-mandated authorisation in e-Sanchit before filing the bill of entry; the customs proper officer verifies uploaded documents before granting out-of-charge.
ITC (HS) Restricted import policy, Chapter 85 · DGFT

A word of counsel

The MTCTE notified-product list is amended periodically — the most recent amendment is TEC Notification F.No.5-2/2024-TC/TEC (Pt.1) dated 25 February 2025. Importers who cleared shipments before a new amendment frequently assume a prior-approved model remains compliant without re-checking the updated list; if the product model is added to the mandatory-certification list between purchase order and bill of lading date, the consignment will be detained at the port of import pending MTCTE certification, attracting demurrage and potential re-export.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8526 91 30 require BIS certification?

No, direction finding equipment under this tariff line is not covered by a BIS Quality Control Order. The operative framework is mandatory MTCTE certification administered by the Telecommunications Engineering Centre under the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017, with a Restricted-import overlay under the ITC (HS) policy administered by DGFT.

Which TEC notifications govern the MTCTE mandatory certification list for this equipment?

The applicable notifications are TEC/01/2017-TC dated 04-07-2019, 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; importers should verify the current notified-product list against the latest amendment before shipment.

What happens if direction finding equipment arrives without a valid MTCTE certificate?

A consignment lacking MTCTE certification for a product on the mandatory list will be detained at the port of import; the importer faces demurrage, ground rent, and possible re-export or confiscation under the Indian Telegraph Act read with the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017.

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