Rubber insulated

Rubber and elastomer insulated wires and cables

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · IS 14494

HSN 8544 19 30 (rubber and elastomer insulated wires and cables) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 14494:2019, IS 2593:1984, and IS 9968 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 21 January 2020 under the Cables (Quality Control) Order, 2020. Directorate General of Foreign Trade policy controls, including Tariff Rate Quota allocation for copper-content cables, apply as a separate customs-clearance overlay.

What this is

HSN code

8544 19 30

Chapter

85 · Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 14494:2019 · 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
Verify the foreign manufacturer's Bureau of Indian Standards CM/L licence number against the applicable IS standard on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order: IS 14494:2019 for elastomer insulated flexible cables for use in mines, IS 2593:1984 for flexible cables for miners' cap lamps, IS 9968 (Part 1) for elastomer insulated cables up to and including 1100 V, or IS 9968 (Part 2):2002 for working voltages from 3.3 kV up to and including 33 kV.
Cables (Quality Control) Order, 2020 · S.O. 294(E) dated 21-01-2020 · Electrical Wires, Cables, Appliances and Protection Devices and Accessories (Quality Control) Order, 2003 · S.O. 189(E) dated 17-02-2003
2
Ensure every cable or wire in the consignment bears the ISI mark and the supplier's CM/L number, with marking on the product itself and traceable to the licensed manufacturing facility and licensed product scope.
Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · Cables (Quality Control) Order, 2020 · S.O. 294(E) dated 21-01-2020
3
Confirm which IS standard governs the specific cable type being imported and that the supplier's CM/L covers that standard, voltage rating, and application scope. A CM/L for IS 9968 (Part 1) does not cover Part 2 voltages, and a licence for IS 14494:2019 does not substitute for IS 2593:1984.
IS 14494:2019 · IS 2593:1984 · IS 9968 (Part 1) · IS 9968 (Part 2):2002
4
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number on the bill of entry. If the consignment falls within the copper-products Tariff Rate Quota under the India-Nepal Treaty, ensure DGFT TRQ allocation has been obtained and cited per paragraph 2.92 of the Handbook of Procedures, 2023.
DGFT Public Notice 17/2023 dated 22-06-2023 · ITC (HS) policy condition 2 to Chapter 85
5
If the consignment is imported from Sri Lanka under the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement, note that entry is permitted only through specified ports per policy condition 2 of Chapter 85. Confirm the port of importation before shipping.
ITC (HS) Import Policy · policy condition 2 to Chapter 85

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is treating the BIS QCO as a single-IS obligation and sourcing a CM/L against only IS 14494:2019 when the consignment in fact contains cables spanning multiple voltage ratings or applications — each governed by a distinct IS standard under two separate Quality Control Orders. A CM/L against IS 14494:2019 does not authorise import of elastomer cables rated above 1100 V; those require IS 9968 (Part 2):2002 coverage, and miners' cap-lamp cables require IS 2593:1984. Customs detention follows from a scope mismatch even where a valid CM/L number is quoted.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8544 19 30 require BIS certification?

Yes. Rubber and elastomer insulated wires and cables under this tariff item require ISI Mark Scheme CM/L licensing under the Cables (Quality Control) Order, 2020 vide S.O. 294(E) and the Electrical Wires, Cables, Appliances and Protection Devices and Accessories (Quality Control) Order, 2003 vide S.O. 189(E).

Which IS standard applies to my specific cable type?

IS 14494:2019 applies to elastomer insulated flexible cables for mines; IS 2593:1984 applies to flexible cables for miners' cap lamps; IS 9968 (Part 1) applies to elastomer cables up to 1100 V; IS 9968 (Part 2):2002 applies to cables from 3.3 kV to 33 kV. The applicable standard depends on the cable's end-use and voltage rating.

Does a CM/L licence for one IS standard cover cables under a different IS standard?

No. Each CM/L is issued against a specific IS standard, voltage range, and manufacturing facility. Cables outside the scope of the licensed IS standard are not covered, and customs detains any consignment where the CM/L scope does not match the imported product.

Is a Tariff Rate Quota allocation required for copper-content cables under this HSN?

For imports under the India-Nepal Treaty involving copper products under Chapter 74 and CTH 8544, DGFT is the designated authority for TRQ allocation under DGFT Public Notice 17/2023. Confirm whether your consignment falls within the 10,000 MT copper-product TRQ for the relevant financial year before shipment.

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