Other

Insulated electric conductors for voltage exceeding 1000 V (aerial bunched cables, solar DC cable, fire survival cable)

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · IS 14255

HSN 8544 60 90 (insulated electric conductors for voltages exceeding 1000 V) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 14255:1995 for aerial bunched cables is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 21 January 2020 under the Cables (Quality Control) Order, 2020; IS 17293:2020 for solar DC cable and IS 17505 (Part 1):2021 for fire survival cable apply under the Solar DC Cable and Fire Survival Cable (Quality Control) Order, 2023 with effect from 26 February 2024. Directorate General of Foreign Trade tariff-rate quota controls on copper products including CTH 8544 apply as a separate customs-clearance overlay.

What this is

HSN code

8544 60 90

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 which product sub-type is being imported — aerial bunched cable (IS 14255:1995), solar DC cable (IS 17293:2020), or fire survival cable (IS 17505 (Part 1):2021) — and source only from a Bureau of Indian Standards CM/L-licensed manufacturer for the applicable standard. Verify the CM/L number, licensed product scope, and manufacturing facility 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
2
Confirm that each cable length or reel bears the ISI mark and the supplier's CM/L number in accordance with Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Marking must appear on the product and on the drum or reel label, not on the outer packaging alone.
Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · Cables (Quality Control) Order, 2020 · Solar DC Cable and Fire Survival Cable (Quality Control) Order, 2023
3
Obtain and retain the CM/L-linked test reports confirming conformity to the applicable IS number and version: IS 14255:1995 for aerial bunched cables, IS 17293:2020 for solar DC cable, or IS 17505 (Part 1):2021 for fire survival cable. The test report must reference the licensed manufacturing facility.
IS 14255:1995 · IS 17293:2020 · IS 17505 (Part 1):2021 · S.O. 3807(E) dated 24-08-2023
4
Verify whether the consignment falls within the Directorate General of Foreign Trade tariff-rate quota for copper products under CTH 8544 for the relevant financial year. If so, obtain the TRQ allocation under paragraph 2.92 of the Handbook of Procedures, 2023 before the shipment date.
DGFT Public Notice 17/2023 dated 22-06-2023 · India-Nepal Treaty revised procedure · Handbook of Procedures, 2023 para 2.92
5
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number and the applicable IS standard on the bill of entry. Customs verifies the CM/L in real time against the BIS register; a CM/L that is absent, expired, or does not cover the specific cable type and manufacturing facility triggers consignment detention.
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 HSN 8544 60 90 as a single-QCO product and sourcing a CM/L against IS 14255:1995 alone. This HSN encompasses three distinct sub-product types governed by two separate Quality Control Orders with different enforcement dates — aerial bunched cable under S.O. 294(E) from January 2020, and solar DC cable and fire survival cable under S.O. 3807(E) from February 2024. A CM/L for aerial bunched cable provides no cover for a consignment of solar DC cable or fire survival cable, and customs will detain each mis-covered consignment on the IS-number mismatch.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8544 60 90 require BIS certification?

Yes. Aerial bunched cables must conform to IS 14255:1995 under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 21 January 2020; solar DC cable must conform to IS 17293:2020 and fire survival cable to IS 17505 (Part 1):2021, both under the Solar DC Cable and Fire Survival Cable (Quality Control) Order, 2023 with effect from 26 February 2024. A current BIS CM/L licence is required for each product type.

Do two separate Quality Control Orders apply to this single HSN?

Yes. The Cables (Quality Control) Order, 2020 (S.O. 294(E)) governs aerial bunched cables, while the Solar DC Cable and Fire Survival Cable (Quality Control) Order, 2023 (S.O. 3807(E)) governs solar DC cable and fire survival cable. Each order has its own enforcement date and applicable IS standard.

Is a tariff-rate quota allocation required for copper-content cable imports under this HSN?

Potentially. DGFT Public Notice 17/2023 dated 22-06-2023 designates the Directorate General of Foreign Trade as the allocation authority for TRQ items under CTH 8544 for copper products. Importers must verify whether the specific consignment falls within the notified TRQ and obtain an allocation under paragraph 2.92 of the Handbook of Procedures, 2023 if so.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all cable types under this HSN?

No. Each CM/L is IS-standard-specific and facility-specific; a licence against IS 14255:1995 for aerial bunched cable does not cover solar DC cable under IS 17293:2020 or fire survival cable under IS 17505 (Part 1):2021, and a separate CM/L is required for each product type and manufacturing location.

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