Asbestos covered

Asbestos-covered flexible cables for miners' cap lamps

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · IS 2593

HSN 8544 19 10 (asbestos-covered flexible cables) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 2593:1984 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 21 January 2020, by virtue of the Cables (Quality Control) Order, 2020. Directorate General of Foreign Trade policy controls on copper-product imports, including Tariff Rate Quota allocations, apply as a separate customs-clearance overlay.

What this is

HSN code

8544 19 10

Chapter

85 · Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 2593:1984 · effective 21-01-2020

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
Source only from a Bureau of Indian Standards CM/L-licensed manufacturer holding a current licence against IS 2593:1984 for flexible cables for miners' cap lamps. Verify the supplier's CM/L number, licensed product scope, and manufacturing facility address on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order.
Cables (Quality Control) Order, 2020 · S.O. 294(E) dated 21-01-2020
2
Ensure each cable bears the ISI mark and the supplier's CM/L number per Scheme-I of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Marking must appear on the product itself, not on outer packaging alone.
Cables (Quality Control) Order, 2020 · S.O. 294(E) dated 21-01-2020 · BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
3
If the consignment originates in Sri Lanka and is routed under the India–Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement, confirm import is through a specified port as required by policy condition 2 of Chapter 85. Non-compliant port of entry triggers detention regardless of BIS QCO status.
ITC (HS) Import Policy — Policy Condition 2 to Chapter 85
4
If the consignment falls within the copper-product Tariff Rate Quota for HSN 8544 allocated for the relevant financial year, obtain the TRQ allocation from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade before import and quote it on the bill of entry.
DGFT Public Notice 17/2023 dated 22-06-2023 · Para 2.92 of the Handbook of Procedures, 2023
5
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number on the bill of entry. Customs verifies the CM/L in real time against the BIS register; an absent, expired, or scope-mismatched licence triggers consignment detention, demurrage, and potential re-export or confiscation.
Cables (Quality Control) Order, 2020 · S.O. 294(E) dated 21-01-2020 · BIS Act, 2016 · Customs Act, 1962

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is treating IS 2593:1984 as an obsolete or nominal standard because asbestos-covered cable is a legacy construction with limited modern commercial volume. The QCO obligation under S.O. 294(E) is fully active from 21 January 2020 regardless of market volume; customs will detain any consignment whose supplier lacks a current CM/L licence against IS 2593:1984, and the age of the standard is no defence. Confirm the supplier has actively maintained CM/L currency — many manufacturers have not renewed licences on low-volume legacy product lines.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8544 19 10 require BIS certification?

Yes. Flexible cables for miners' cap lamps classified under this tariff line require a Bureau of Indian Standards CM/L licence against IS 2593:1984 under the ISI Mark Scheme, mandatory with effect from 21 January 2020 under the Cables (Quality Control) Order, 2020.

Does the Tariff Rate Quota for copper products apply to this HSN?

Yes, where the consignment falls within the India–Nepal Treaty TRQ for copper products covering Chapter 74 and HSN 8544, allocation must be obtained from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade per DGFT Public Notice 17/2023 before import.

Are Sri Lanka origin imports treated differently for this tariff line?

Yes. Imports of articles made of copper from Sri Lanka under the India–Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement are permitted only through specified ports; entry through any other port is not allowed under policy condition 2 of Chapter 85.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all cable specifications and manufacturing plants?

No. The CM/L is scope-specific by product specification, cable type, and licensed manufacturing facility; cables outside the licensed scope or from an unlicensed plant are not covered and will be detained at port.

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