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Optical fibre cables, residual (non-lead-alloy-sheathed)

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · IS 17048

HSN 8544 70 90 (optical fibre cables, residual) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 17048:2018 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 26 February 2024 under the Cables (Quality Control) Order, 2020. Directorate General of Foreign Trade policy controls, including Tariff Rate Quota allocation for copper products under Chapter 8544, apply as a separate customs-clearance overlay.

What this is

HSN code

8544 70 90

Chapter

85 · Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 17048 · effective 26-02-2024

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 BIS CM/L licence number against IS 17048:2018 on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order. Confirm the licensed scope covers the specific cable type, voltage rating, and manufacturing facility.
Cables (Quality Control) Order, 2020 · S.O. 294(E) dated 21-01-2020 · IS 17048:2018 (halogen free flame retardant cables)
2
If importing crosslinked polyethylene insulated cables, confirm the applicable IS 7098 part: Part 1:1988 for up to 1100 V, Part 2:2011 for 3.3 kV to 33 kV, Part 3:1993 for 66 kV to 220 kV. Source only from a CM/L-licensed manufacturer against the relevant part.
Cables (Quality Control) Order, 2020 · S.O. 294(E) dated 21-01-2020 · IS 7098 (Part 1):1988, IS 7098 (Part 2):2011, IS 7098 (Part 3):1993
3
If the consignment is a solar DC cable, verify CM/L licence against IS 17293:2020; if a fire survival cable, verify against IS 17505 (Part 1):2021 with enforcement from 26 February 2024. These fall under the Solar DC Cable and Fire Survival Cable (Quality Control) Order, 2023.
Solar DC Cable and Fire Survival Cable (Quality Control) Order, 2023 · S.O. 3807(E) dated 24-08-2023
4
Ensure every cable 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 product and is traceable to the licensed facility.
Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · Cables (Quality Control) Order, 2020
5
If the consignment falls within copper products under Chapter 74 or CTH 8544 subject to the India-Nepal TRQ, verify Tariff Rate Quota allocation from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade before import and quote the TRQ reference on the bill of entry.
DGFT Public Notice 17/2023 dated 22-06-2023 · Handbook of Procedures 2023, para 2.92

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is treating it as a single-standard regulatory record and sourcing against IS 17048:2018 alone, without recognising that five IS standards across three separate QCO notifications can apply simultaneously depending on cable type — XLPE cables require IS 7098 (the relevant part), solar DC cables require IS 17293:2020, and fire survival cables require IS 17505 (Part 1):2021. A CM/L licence that covers IS 17048:2018 does not extend to the other standards; a mixed consignment containing cables from different specifications that are licensed under only one IS triggers selective detention of the non-covered cable types at port.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8544 70 90 require BIS certification?

Yes. Optical fibre cables and related cable types classified under this tariff line require Bureau of Indian Standards certification under the ISI Mark Scheme; the primary applicable standard is IS 17048:2018, mandatory from 26 February 2024 under S.O. 294(E).

Does one CM/L licence cover all cable types in a mixed consignment?

No. Each CM/L licence is standard-specific and scope-specific; a licence against IS 17048:2018 does not cover XLPE cables (IS 7098), solar DC cables (IS 17293:2020), or fire survival cables (IS 17505 Part 1:2021), which each require a separate CM/L.

Does the Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment framework also apply to optical fibre cables under this HSN?

Telecom products notified under MTCTE are governed by Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017 and DoT/TEC notifications; importers must verify whether the specific cable type features in the MTCTE notified list, as that obligation is independent of the BIS QCO.

Is the fire survival cable standard (IS 17505) already in force for this tariff line?

Yes. IS 17505 (Part 1):2021 under the Solar DC Cable and Fire Survival Cable (Quality Control) Order, 2023 has been in force from 26 February 2024 as referenced in S.O. 3807(E) dated 24-08-2023.

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