Earth leak circuit breakers

Earth leakage circuit breakers for household and similar uses

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · Simplified SCHEME · IS 12640 (part 1)

HSN 8536 20 40 (earth leak circuit breakers) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 12640 (Part 1) and IS 12640 (Part 2) is mandatory under the Simplified Certification Scheme (Scheme-X) with effect from 17 February 2003, pursuant to the Electrical Wires, Cables, Appliances and Protection Devices and Accessories (Quality Control) Order, 2003. Directorate General of Foreign Trade import-policy conditions under General Note 2 apply as a separate customs-clearance overlay.

What this is

HSN code

8536 20 40

Chapter

85 · Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof

BIS QCO

Applicable · Simplified Certification Scheme · BIS licence required

Indian Standard

IS 12640 (Part 1) · effective 17-02-2003

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

BISBIS·Bureau of Indian Standards

Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

Compliance steps

1
Verify the foreign manufacturer holds a current BIS licence under Scheme-X of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 against IS 12640 (Part 1) for RCCBs without integral overcurrent protection. Confirm the licensed product scope and manufacturing facility on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order.
Electrical Wires, Cables, Appliances and Protection Devices and Accessories (Quality Control) Order, 2003 · S.O. 189(E) dated 17-02-2003
2
Where the consignment includes circuit breakers with integral overcurrent protection (RCBOs), confirm the manufacturer holds a separate or concurrent BIS licence against IS 12640 (Part 2). A licence scoped to Part 1 alone does not cover Part 2 variants.
ITC HS import policy · General Note 2 · IS 12640 (Part 1) and IS 12640 (Part 2)
3
Ensure every unit bears the BIS standard mark under licence. Where the manufacturer has an existing Scheme-I licence, a separate Scheme-X licence is not required; confirm with the supplier which scheme underpins the BIS licence in use.
Electrical Equipment (QC) Second Amendment Order, 2024 · S.O. 4044(E) dated 11-11-2020; S.O. 1896(E) dated 03-05-2024
4
Quote the supplier's BIS licence number on the bill of entry, matched to the part scope (Part 1 or Part 2) of the specific devices being imported. Customs verifies the licence against the BIS register in real time; a scope mismatch or expired licence triggers consignment detention.
BIS Act, 2016 · Customs Act, 1962 · General Note 2 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy
5
Confirm the manufacturer has submitted the declaration to the Bureau of Indian Standards for test-compliance reporting by 10 May 2026, as required for serial numbers 1.1.(b), 1.2.(b), 1.3.(b), 2.1.(b), 3.1.(b), and 6.1.(b) of the amendment order table. Obtain written confirmation from the supplier before shipment.
Electrical Equipment (QC) Second Amendment Order, 2024 · S.O. 2007(E) dated 05-05-2025

A word of counsel

The most frequent error on this tariff line is importing under a BIS licence scoped exclusively to IS 12640 (Part 1) while the consignment contains RCBOs governed by IS 12640 (Part 2). The two parts cover distinct device types — RCCBs without integral overcurrent protection versus those with — and customs treats them as separate licence obligations. A mixed consignment where only Part 1 certification has been obtained results in partial detention of the Part 2 devices, generating demurrage and ground rent on the detained units pending remediation.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8536 20 40 require BIS certification?

Yes. Earth leak circuit breakers must conform to IS 12640 (Part 1) or IS 12640 (Part 2) under the Simplified Certification Scheme and bear the BIS standard mark under licence with effect from 17 February 2003.

What is the difference between IS 12640 Part 1 and Part 2 for import purposes?

IS 12640 (Part 1) covers RCCBs without integral overcurrent protection; IS 12640 (Part 2) covers RCBOs with integral overcurrent protection. Each requires a separate BIS licence scope, and the bill of entry must correctly identify which part applies to the devices in the consignment.

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

No. The Electrical Equipment (QC) Second Amendment Order, 2024 provides that a manufacturer holding permission under Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (CA) Regulations, 2018 is not required to obtain a separate Scheme-X licence for the same product.

Does a single BIS licence cover all earth leakage circuit breaker variants from one manufacturer?

No. The licence is scope-specific by IS part, rated current, number of poles, and manufacturing facility; devices outside the licensed scope or produced at an unlicensed plant are not covered and will be detained at customs.

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