Other

Other electrical machines and apparatus (residual category)

CDSCO CLEARANCE · MOHFW CLEARANCE

HSN 8543 70 49 covers residual electrical machines and apparatus, and for tobacco-related devices in this subheading the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) mandates compliance with the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Packaging and Labelling) Amendment Rules, 2022, notified under GSR 592(E) dated 21-07-2022. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) framework governs any product licensed under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. Critically, import of e-cigarettes and all electronic nicotine delivery systems classifiable under HS 8543 is prohibited under DGFT Notification 20/2015-20 dated 26-09-2019.

What this is

HSN code

8543 70 49

Chapter

85 · Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof

Primary regulator

CDSCO · Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940; MOHFW · Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Packaging and Labelling) Amendment Rules, 2022

Customs documentation

Packaging and labelling compliance from MOHFW
Import licence from CDSCO
Prohibition clearance declaration from DGFT

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

CDSCOCDSCO·Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation

MOHFWMOHFW·Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

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

Compliance steps

1
Verify at the outset that the goods are not e-cigarettes, electronic nicotine delivery systems, heat-not-burn products, e-hookahs, or any parts or components thereof (including refill pods, atomisers, and cartridges). Import of all such devices under HS 8543 is prohibited under DGFT Notification 20/2015-20 dated 26-09-2019; the sole carve-out is for products licensed under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
DGFT Notification 20/2015-20 dated 26-09-2019
2
For tobacco-product devices entering under this tariff line, ensure packaging and labelling display the new set of health warnings prescribed by the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Packaging and Labelling) Amendment Rules, 2022, with effect from 01-12-2022. Upload evidence of labelling compliance at the bill of entry.
GSR 592(E) dated 21-07-2022 · CBIC Instruction 02/2023 dated 07-01-2023 · MOHFW letter D.O.P.16011/02/2017-TC (Part-1) dated 09-12-2022
3
Where the apparatus is licensed under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and therefore exempt from the e-cigarette prohibition, obtain the applicable CDSCO import licence or registration before filing the bill of entry and confirm the exemption basis in writing to the customs proper officer.
DGFT Notification 20/2015-20 dated 26-09-2019 · General Note 13 of ITC (HS) Schedule

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is importing e-cigarette components — refill pods, atomisers, cartridges — on the assumption that a component is not a 'device' and falls outside the prohibition. DGFT Notification 20/2015-20 explicitly names parts and components as prohibited imports under HS 8543, and customs will confiscate the consignment without a CDSCO-licensed-product exemption. The Drugs and Cosmetics Act carve-out is narrow and requires documented CDSCO licensing — a general medical-device registration does not automatically qualify.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8543 70 49 require BIS certification?

No, this residual electrical-apparatus tariff line is not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed primarily by CDSCO and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Packaging and Labelling) Amendment Rules, 2022, with a DGFT prohibition on e-cigarettes and electronic nicotine delivery systems.

Are all devices classifiable under HS 8543 that resemble e-cigarettes prohibited, or only finished devices?

All forms are prohibited — finished devices, parts, and components including refill pods, atomisers, and cartridges, regardless of name, shape, size, or form, per DGFT Notification 20/2015-20 dated 26-09-2019. The only exception is products licensed under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

What happens if tobacco-product packaging does not comply with the 2022 health-warning rules?

Non-compliant consignments are liable to detention at the port of import pending labelling rectification, and persistent non-compliance exposes the importer to enforcement action under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Packaging and Labelling) Amendment Rules, 2022, as reinforced by CBIC Instruction 02/2023 dated 07-01-2023.

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