Other

Insulated electric conductors fitted with connectors, residuary

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · IS 14255

HSN 8544 42 99 (insulated electric conductors fitted with connectors, residuary) is covered by multiple Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Orders. Conformity to IS 14255:1995 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 21 January 2020 under the Cables (Quality Control) Order, 2020; IS 17293:2020 and IS 17505 (Part 1):2021 apply to solar DC cables and fire survival cables respectively from 26 February 2024; and IS 14927 (Part 2):2001 applies to cable trunking and ducting systems from 1 July 2024. Directorate General of Foreign Trade trade remedy and tariff-rate quota controls apply as a separate customs-clearance overlay.

What this is

HSN code

8544 42 99

Chapter

85 · Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 14255 · 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
Identify the precise product type within this residuary tariff line — aerial bunched cable (IS 14255:1995), solar DC cable (IS 17293:2020), fire survival cable (IS 17505 (Part 1):2021), or cable trunking and ducting (IS 14927 (Part 2):2001) — and verify the supplier holds a current BIS CM/L licence against the applicable standard on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order.
Cables (Quality Control) Order, 2020 · S.O. 294(E) dated 21-01-2020; Solar DC Cable and Fire Survival Cable (Quality Control) Order, 2023 · S.O. 3807(E) dated 24-08-2023; Electrical Accessories (Quality Control) Order, 2023 · S.O. 43(E) dated 01-01-2024
2
Confirm the CM/L licence scope matches the specific product variant: for aerial bunched cables, the licence must cover the rated voltage class up to and including 1100 V per IS 14255:1995; for cable trunking, the licence must cover wall- or ceiling-mounted systems per IS 14927 (Part 2):2001.
Cables (Quality Control) Order, 2020 · S.O. 294(E) dated 21-01-2020; Electrical Accessories (Quality Control) Order, 2023 · S.O. 43(E) dated 01-01-2024
3
Ensure every unit bears the ISI mark and the supplier's CM/L number in accordance with Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the Bureau of Indian Standards (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Marking must appear on the product itself; packaging-only marking does not satisfy the requirement.
Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · S.O. 3807(E) dated 24-08-2023
4
Check whether the consignment is subject to the DGFT tariff-rate quota for copper products under Chapter 74 and CTH 8544. If the consignment falls within the 10,000 MT copper-product TRQ for the relevant financial year, obtain DGFT allocation before shipment.
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, the applicable IS standard, and any DGFT TRQ allocation reference 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.
Cables (Quality Control) Order, 2020 · BIS Act, 2016 · Customs Act, 1962

A word of counsel

The single most common error on HSN 8544 42 99 is treating this residuary line as a single-QCO entry and sourcing one CM/L licence when the consignment contains multiple product types each governed by a separate Quality Control Order. A single bill of entry covering aerial bunched cable, solar DC cable, and cable trunking requires three distinct CM/L licences — against IS 14255:1995, IS 17293:2020, and IS 14927 (Part 2):2001 respectively — and a scope mismatch on even one line item triggers detention of the entire consignment pending re-verification.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8544 42 99 require BIS certification?

Yes. This tariff line is subject to the ISI Mark Scheme under multiple Quality Control Orders: IS 14255:1995 from 21 January 2020, IS 17293:2020 and IS 17505 (Part 1):2021 from 26 February 2024, and IS 14927 (Part 2):2001 from 1 July 2024. A current CM/L licence against the applicable standard is mandatory for each product type.

Which standard applies — IS 14255, IS 17293, IS 17505, or IS 14927?

The applicable standard is determined by the product type: IS 14255:1995 for aerial bunched cables up to 1100 V; IS 17293:2020 for solar DC cables; IS 17505 (Part 1):2021 for fire survival cables; and IS 14927 (Part 2):2001 for cable trunking and ducting systems for wall or ceiling mounting.

Do the staggered enforcement dates for small and micro enterprises under the Electrical Accessories QCO affect the IS 14927 obligation?

Yes. Under the Electrical Accessories (Quality Control) Order, 2023, the IS 14927 (Part 2):2001 obligation applies from 1 July 2024 for large enterprises, 1 October 2024 for small enterprises, and 1 January 2025 for micro enterprises as categorised under the MSMED Act.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all variants and sizes of cable within the licensed standard?

No. A CM/L licence is scope-specific to the product variant, rated voltage class, manufacturing facility, and specification range; cables or trunking systems outside the licensed scope are not covered and will be detained at customs.

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