Other

Radio-broadcasting reception apparatus, other types

WPC CLEARANCE

HSN 8527 19 00 (Other radio-broadcasting reception apparatus) is subject to Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) import licensing under the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017 and the Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment (MTCTE) regime notified by the Department of Telecommunications. Equipment operating in licence-exempt bands with low transmission power may qualify for Equipment Type Approval (ETA) via self-declaration on the SaralSanchar portal, while the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) ITC (HS) policy and Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) procedural overlays apply at the bill of entry.

What this is

HSN code

8527 19 00

Chapter

85 · Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof

Primary regulator

WPC · Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017 and MTCTE regime

Customs documentation

Import licence from WPC
ETA certificate from SaralSanchar portal
MTCTE compliance certificate from TEC

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

WPCWPC·Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing

Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs.

Compliance steps

1
Determine whether the radio-broadcasting reception apparatus falls under the MTCTE mandatory-certification list notified vide DoT Notifications TEC/01/2017-TC dated 04-07-2019 and 23-06-2020, 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. If listed, obtain the required TEC certification before the bill of entry is filed.
Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017 · DoT Notification TEC/01/2017-TC dated 04-07-2019 · F.No.5-2/2024-TC/TEC (Pt.1) dated 25-02-2025
2
For equipment not operating in a licence-exempt band, obtain a WPC import licence through the SaralSanchar portal at least 30 days before shipment arrival. The system-generated certificate is downloadable 48 hours after application on self-declaration basis and must be presented to customs; officers may verify authenticity by scanning the QR code on the certificate.
CBIC Instruction 23/2021-Cus dated 23-11-2021 · DoT OM F.No. R-11017/02/2021-PP dated 21-10-2021 · CBIC Instruction 16/2022-Cus dated 21-07-2022
3
For wireless equipment operating in a licence-exempt band with low transmission power and exempted from the DGFT import licence, obtain an Equipment Type Approval (ETA) certificate via self-declaration on saralsanchar.gov.in and submit it at the bill of entry. Verify ETA eligibility per CBIC Instruction 24/2024-Cus dated 22-10-2024.
CBIC Instruction 24/2024-Cus dated 22-10-2024 · DoT letter ETA-WPC/Policy/2018-19 dated 12-04-2019 · R-11018/05/2019-PP dated 29-03-2019

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is conflating the ETA self-declaration route with a general licence exemption: ETA via SaralSanchar is available only for wireless equipment operating in a licence-exempt band with low transmission power. Apparatus that incorporates higher-power or non-exempt frequency bands requires a full WPC import licence regardless of the self-declaration portal's availability, and importing on a self-declaration certificate that does not accurately describe the equipment's operating parameters renders the certificate void and attracts cancellation with liability under applicable telecommunications law.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8527 19 00 require BIS certification?

No, this tariff line is not covered by a BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by Wireless Planning and Coordination licensing under the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017 and the MTCTE mandatory-certification regime administered by the Department of Telecommunications.

Can a radio-broadcasting receiver be imported under the ETA self-declaration route without a separate WPC import licence?

Only if the equipment operates exclusively in a licence-exempt band with low transmission power as defined by DoT; such products may use the SaralSanchar ETA self-declaration route per CBIC Instruction 24/2024-Cus dated 22-10-2024. All other apparatus requires a standard WPC import licence applied for at least 30 days before shipment arrival.

Do signal boosters or repeaters classifiable under HSN 8527 19 00 have any additional advisory restriction?

Yes. The Department of Telecommunications has issued a PIB advisory (Release ID 1839030) on the proper use of signal jammers and boosters/repeaters; import of such devices without proper WPC authorisation attracts enforcement action under the Indian Telegraph Act.

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