For use in goods of Chapter 88 or 89 or 93

Electric control panels for aircraft, vessels, or arms

PARTNER GOVERNMENT AGENCY CLEARANCE

HSN 8537 10 10 (electric control or distribution boards for use in goods of Chapter 88, 89 or 93, not exceeding 1,000 V) is subject to mandatory certification under the Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment (MTCTE) scheme, administered by the Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing, as required under the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017 and Telecommunications Engineering Centre (TEC) notifications. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) import policy applies as an additional overlay where the product falls within notified MTCTE product lists.

What this is

HSN code

8537 10 10

Chapter

85 · Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof

Primary regulator

WPC/TEC · Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017 (MTCTE mandatory certification)

Customs documentation

MTCTE certificate from TEC
Type Approval Certificate from WPC
Import compliance declaration from DGFT

Compliance steps

1
Verify whether the specific control board or panel falls within the list of telecom products notified for mandatory MTCTE certification. Where listed, obtain the MTCTE certificate from the Telecommunications Engineering Centre before the bill of entry is filed.
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
Upload the MTCTE certificate and any supporting type-approval documentation in e-Sanchit at the bill of entry stage. Consignments for which a mandatory MTCTE product is not accompanied by the certificate are liable to detention pending regularisation.
Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017 · TEC Notification F.No.5-2/2024-TC/TEC (Pt.1) dated 25-02-2025

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is assuming that the Chapter 88/89/93 end-use carve-out removes the product entirely from the MTCTE ambit. MTCTE applicability turns on the product's intrinsic telecom-interface characteristics, not solely on its declared end-use; if the board incorporates any notified telecom interface, certification is required even when destined for aircraft or marine platforms. Importers should verify the current MTCTE product list against the amended TEC notification F.No.5-2/2024-TC/TEC (Pt.1) dated 25-02-2025 before shipment.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8537 10 10 require BIS certification?

No, no BIS Quality Control Order covers electric control or distribution panels for use in Chapter 88, 89 or 93 goods. The operative framework is mandatory MTCTE certification under the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017, administered by the Telecommunications Engineering Centre.

How do I determine whether my control panel is on the MTCTE notified product list?

The current notified list is published via TEC notifications, most recently amended by F.No.5-2/2024-TC/TEC (Pt.1) dated 25-02-2025; importers should cross-check their product against that list before placing the purchase order.

Does the Chapter 88 or 89 end-use exemption remove the MTCTE certification requirement?

Not automatically. MTCTE applicability is determined by whether the product falls within the notified telecom-equipment categories; the Chapter 88/89/93 designation is a tariff classification, not an MTCTE exemption, and certification remains required for any notified product regardless of intended platform.

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