Connectors for optical fibres, optical fibre bundles or cables

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · IS 17293

HSN 8536 70 00 (connectors for optical fibres, optical fibre bundles or cables) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 17293:2020 (solar DC cable) and IS 17505 (Part 1):2021 (fire survival cable) is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 26 February 2024, by virtue of the Solar DC Cable and Fire Survival Cable (Quality Control) Order, 2023. Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment requirements administered by the Department of Telecommunications apply as a separate customs-clearance overlay.

What this is

HSN code

8536 70 00

Chapter

85 · Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 17293 · effective 26-02-2024

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

BISBIS·Bureau of Indian Standards

Compliance steps

1
Verify the foreign manufacturer's BIS CM/L licence on the BIS online register against IS 17293:2020 for solar DC cable connectors or IS 17505 (Part 1):2021 for fire survival cable connectors. Confirm the licence covers the specific product variant, conductor specification, and manufacturing facility before placing the purchase order.
Solar DC Cable and Fire Survival Cable (Quality Control) Order, 2023 · S.O. 3807(E) dated 24-08-2023
2
Ensure every connector in the consignment bears the ISI mark and the supplier's CM/L number in accordance with Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. The standard mark must appear on the product itself, not on packaging alone.
Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · Solar DC Cable and Fire Survival Cable (Quality Control) Order, 2023
3
Determine whether the product falls within the List of Telecom Products notified under Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment. If so, obtain certification under the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017 before shipment.
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
4
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number on the bill of entry, specifying the applicable IS (17293:2020 or IS 17505 (Part 1):2021) corresponding to the product type in the consignment. Customs verifies the CM/L in real time; a lapsed, scope-mismatched, or absent CM/L triggers consignment detention.
Solar DC Cable and Fire Survival Cable (Quality Control) Order, 2023 · S.O. 3807(E) dated 24-08-2023 · BIS Act, 2016 · Customs Act, 1962

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is treating the two Indian Standards as interchangeable: IS 17293:2020 governs solar DC cable connectors and IS 17505 (Part 1):2021 governs fire survival cable connectors — the CM/L licence scope is product-type-specific, and importing a fire survival cable connector against a CM/L scoped only to solar DC cable constitutes non-compliance regardless of the mark on the product. Importers must match the IS number on the CM/L to the product type in the consignment at the line-item level before shipment, not at port.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8536 70 00 require BIS certification?

Yes. Connectors falling within the scope of IS 17293:2020 or IS 17505 (Part 1):2021 must be imported only from manufacturers holding a current BIS CM/L licence under the ISI Mark Scheme, with effect from 26 February 2024.

Do Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment requirements apply to all connectors under this HSN?

Only to connectors that appear on the List of Telecom Products notified by the Department of Telecommunications. The MTCTE requirement is independent of the BIS QCO obligation and must be assessed separately for each product.

Which Indian Standard applies — IS 17293:2020 or IS 17505 (Part 1):2021?

IS 17293:2020 applies to solar DC cable connectors; IS 17505 (Part 1):2021 applies to fire survival cable connectors. Both fall under the Solar DC Cable and Fire Survival Cable (Quality Control) Order, 2023, and the applicable standard is determined by the product type, not the importer's choice.

Does a single CM/L licence cover both solar DC cable and fire survival cable connector variants?

No. A CM/L licence is standard-specific and scope-specific by product type and manufacturing facility; a licence against IS 17293:2020 does not authorise supply of fire survival cable connectors, and vice versa.

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