Air circuit breakers

Air circuit breakers for automatic circuit protection

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · Simplified SCHEME

HSN 8536 20 10 (air circuit breakers) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Every air circuit breaker specified in the Electrical Equipment (Quality Control) Order is required to conform to the corresponding Indian Standard and bear the standard mark under a Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) licence as per Scheme-X in Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018, with effect from 11 November 2020. Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment requirements under the Department of Telecommunications apply as a separate customs-clearance overlay where the equipment falls within the notified telecom product list.

What this is

HSN code

8536 20 10

Chapter

85 · Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof

BIS QCO

Applicable · Simplified Certification Scheme · BIS licence required

Indian Standard

IS as mapped in Schedule 1 of the controlling Quality Control Order · effective 11-11-2020

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

BISBIS·Bureau of Indian Standards

Compliance steps

1
Identify the precise Indian Standard mapped to air circuit breakers in the table to the Electrical Equipment (Quality Control) Order and confirm the enforcement date in column (5). Check whether a product-specific requirement in column (7) displaces the general IS reference before placing the purchase order.
Electrical Equipment (Quality Control) Second Amendment Order, 2024 · S.O. 4044(E) dated 11-11-2020; S.O. 4492(E) dated 18-10-2021; S.O. 5083(E) dated 28-10-2022; S.O. 2132(E) dated 09-05-2023; S.O. 1896(E) dated 03-05-2024; S.O. 2007(E) dated 05-05-2025
2
Source only from a manufacturer holding a current BIS licence under Scheme-X in Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Where the manufacturer already holds a Scheme-I licence for the same product, a separate Scheme-X licence is not required — verify which licence type applies.
BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · Schedule-II, Scheme-X · Electrical Equipment (Quality Control) Second Amendment Order, 2024
3
Ensure each air circuit breaker bears the standard mark issued under the applicable BIS licence. Verify the licence number, product scope, and manufacturing facility on the BIS online register before the consignment is shipped; a scope mismatch triggers consignment detention at port.
BIS Act, 2016 · BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018, Schedule-II, Scheme-X
4
If the air circuit breaker falls within the notified list of telecom equipment under the Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment framework, obtain the requisite DoT/TEC certification and quote it on the bill of entry as a separate customs-clearance requirement.
Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017 · DoT 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
5
For product categories at serial numbers 1.1.(b), 1.2.(b), 1.3.(b), 2.1.(b), 3.1.(b), and 6.1.(b) of the QCO table, confirm that the manufacturer has submitted or is in a position to submit the declaration and test-compliance report to BIS by 10 May 2026 or such later date as notified. Consignments from manufacturers who have not met this deadline carry elevated certification-lapse risk.
Electrical Equipment (Quality Control) Second Amendment Order, 2024 · S.O. 2007(E) dated 05-05-2025

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is assuming that a valid BIS licence under Scheme-I (ISI Mark Scheme) automatically satisfies the Scheme-X (Simplified Certification Scheme) requirement without verification. The QCO is explicit that a Scheme-I licence discharges the Scheme-X obligation only for the identical product scope and licensed facility — importers who extend that carve-out to additional models or unlicensed plants face detention and potential confiscation under the BIS Act, 2016. Confirm in writing, against the BIS register entry, which scheme covers the exact model being imported.

Need a regulatory steer on this product?

Speak to a regulatory counsel about your specific HSN, IS, and supplier situation.

Speak to an Expert

Frequently asked

Does HSN 8536 20 10 require BIS certification?

Yes. Air circuit breakers under the Electrical Equipment (Quality Control) Order must conform to the applicable Indian Standard and bear the standard mark under a BIS licence — Scheme-X in Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 — with effect from 11 November 2020.

If a manufacturer already holds a Scheme-I BIS licence, is a separate Scheme-X licence needed?

Not for the same licensed product scope and facility. The Electrical Equipment (Quality Control) Order permits a Scheme-I licence to substitute for Scheme-X; importers must verify that the Scheme-I licence covers the exact model and manufacturing plant of the imported consignment.

What is the significance of the 10 May 2026 deadline for certain serial-number categories in the QCO table?

For products in serial numbers 1.1.(b), 1.2.(b), 1.3.(b), 2.1.(b), 3.1.(b), and 6.1.(b), the manufacturer must submit a declaration and test-compliance report to BIS by 10 May 2026 or any later date notified. Consignments from manufacturers who miss this deadline face a lapsed-certification risk at the next import cycle.

Does one BIS licence cover all air circuit breaker ratings and variants from the same manufacturer?

No. The BIS licence is scope-specific by product category, rating, and manufacturing facility; variants or ratings outside the licensed scope, or from an unlicensed plant, are not covered and will be detained at customs.

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