Paper insulated, of a kind used in telecommunication

Paper-insulated telecommunication cables fitted with connectors

DGFT CLEARANCE

HSN 8544 42 91 (paper-insulated telecommunication cables fitted with connectors) is subject to ITC (HS) import policy administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), which is the designated authority for Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) allocation and monitoring under the revised India-Nepal Treaty and the revised procedure set out in DGFT Public Notice 17/2023. Copper products under Chapter 74 and CTH 8544 are governed by a 10,000 MT annual TRQ for FY 2023-24 under Para 2.92 of the Handbook of Procedures, 2023.

What this is

HSN code

8544 42 91

Chapter

85 · Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof

Primary regulator

DGFT · ITC (HS) import policy, TRQ allocation under revised India-Nepal Treaty

Customs documentation

TRQ allocation letter from DGFT
Import Licence from DGFT
Para 2.92 compliance declaration from DGFT

Compliance steps

1
Confirm whether the consignment falls within the 10,000 MT annual Tariff Rate Quota for copper products under CTH 8544 allocated by DGFT under the revised India-Nepal Treaty. Obtain the DGFT TRQ allocation before filing the bill of entry, as imports without a valid allocation are not permitted under the TRQ window.
DGFT Public Notice 17/2023 dated 22-06-2023, para (i) to (xv)
2
Comply with the monitoring and reporting obligations set out in Para 2.92 of the Handbook of Procedures, 2023. Upload all mandatory documents in e-Sanchit at the bill of entry stage and ensure the TRQ allocation reference is quoted on the bill of entry for DGFT-monitored clearance.
DGFT Public Notice 17/2023 dated 22-06-2023 · Para 2.92, Handbook of Procedures, 2023

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is treating the India-Nepal TRQ as a general import entitlement rather than a quota that requires advance DGFT allocation before shipment. A consignment arriving at customs without a current TRQ allocation letter faces detention and potential re-export; the quota applies to the combined 10,000 MT envelope across Chapter 74 and CTH 8544 copper products, so exhaustion of the quota mid-year closes the TRQ window for subsequent shipments regardless of the importer's commercial contract.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8544 42 91 require BIS certification?

No, no BIS Quality Control Order covers paper-insulated telecommunication cables under this tariff line. Import is governed by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under the ITC (HS) import policy, with DGFT as the designated authority for TRQ allocation under the revised India-Nepal Treaty per Public Notice 17/2023.

What is the annual TRQ volume for copper products under CTH 8544 and how is it allocated?

The annual TRQ is 10,000 MT for FY 2023-24, covering copper products under Chapter 74 and CTH 8544 combined; DGFT is the designated authority for allocation and monitoring under Para 2.92 of the Handbook of Procedures, 2023 and DGFT Public Notice 17/2023 dated 22-06-2023.

Does the TRQ apply only to imports from Nepal, or to all origins?

The TRQ regime is established under the revised India-Nepal Treaty; importers should confirm the origin-specific applicability of the allocation against DGFT Public Notice 17/2023 dated 22-06-2023 before placing purchase orders from non-Nepal suppliers.

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