Rubber insulated, of a kind used in telecommunication

Rubber and elastomer insulated cables for telecommunication use

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · IS 14494

HSN 8544 49 93 (rubber and elastomer insulated cables of a kind used in telecommunication) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 14494:2019 and IS 9968 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme, with obligations traceable to the Cables (Quality Control) Order, 2020 and the Electrical Wires, Cables, Appliances and Protection Devices and Accessories (Quality Control) Order, 2003. Directorate General of Foreign Trade policy controls, including tariff-rate quota allocation for copper products, apply as a separate customs-clearance overlay.

What this is

HSN code

8544 49 93

Chapter

85 · Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 14494 · effective 17-02-2003

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 that the foreign manufacturer holds a current BIS CM/L licence against IS 14494:2019 (elastomer insulated flexible cables for mines) or IS 9968 Part 1 (elastomer insulated cables up to and including 1100 V) or IS 9968 Part 2:2002 (elastomer insulated cables 3.3 kV to 33 kV), whichever matches the product specification. Check scope, voltage rating, and licensed facility on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order.
IS 14494:2019; IS 9968 (Pt. 1); IS 9968 (Pt. 2):2002 · 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 each cable or drum bears the ISI mark and the supplier's CM/L number per Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Marking must appear on the cable itself and on the drum label, traceable to the licensed manufacturing facility and the applicable IS number.
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
If the consignment contains copper-based cables and is sourced under the India-Nepal tariff-rate quota, confirm DGFT allocation and that the consignment falls within the 10,000 MT copper-product TRQ for the relevant financial year under the revised procedure.
DGFT Public Notice 17/2023 dated 22-06-2023 · HBP 2023 para 2.92
4
If the consignment is made up of copper articles originating in Sri Lanka under the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement, ensure it is routed through the specified ports listed in policy condition 2 of Chapter 85. Non-compliance with port restriction results in consignment detention.
ITC (HS) Import Policy Chapter 85, Policy Condition 2
5
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number, the applicable IS reference, and the governing QCO notification on the bill of entry. Customs verifies the CM/L in real time against the BIS register; an absent, expired, or voltage-range-mismatched licence triggers consignment detention and potential re-export.
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 14494:2019, IS 9968 Part 1, and IS 9968 Part 2:2002 as interchangeable when only one governs the consignment's voltage class and application. A telecom-use cable operating at low voltage is not automatically within the IS 14494:2019 mines-specification scope, and a cable rated above 1100 V requires a CM/L against IS 9968 Part 2:2002 — a licence against Part 1 does not extend to medium-voltage products. Mismatched IS references on the bill of entry against the CM/L licence scope cause detention even when a valid BIS licence otherwise exists.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8544 49 93 require BIS certification?

Yes. Rubber and elastomer insulated cables of a kind used in telecommunication require a BIS CM/L licence under the ISI Mark Scheme against IS 14494:2019, IS 9968 (Part 1), or IS 9968 (Part 2):2002, depending on voltage class and application, with effect from 17 February 2003 under S.O. 189(E) as amended by S.O. 294(E).

Which Indian Standard applies, IS 14494:2019 or IS 9968?

IS 14494:2019 governs elastomer insulated flexible cables for use in mines. IS 9968 Part 1 covers elastomer insulated cables up to and including 1100 V, and IS 9968 Part 2:2002 covers cables from 3.3 kV up to and including 33 kV. The applicable standard is determined by the cable's rated voltage and end-use specification.

Does the DGFT tariff-rate quota for copper products affect this HSN?

Yes, where the cable contains copper. DGFT Public Notice 17/2023 designates the Directorate General of Foreign Trade as the authority for allocation and monitoring of copper-product TRQ imports (including CTH 8544) under the revised India-Nepal treaty for the relevant financial year.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all voltage ratings and facility locations?

No. A CM/L licence is scope-specific by IS number, voltage class, cable type, and manufacturing facility; cables outside the licensed specification or from an unlicensed plant are not covered, and a Part 1 licence does not extend to Part 2 (medium-voltage) products.

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