Flow meters

Flow meters used as water meters (bulk and domestic types)

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · IS 2373 · CDSCO OVERLAY · MOHFW OVERLAY

HSN 9026 10 10 (flow meters used as water meters) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 2373 (bulk type) and IS 779 (domestic type) is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 7 September 2024 for general enterprises, pursuant to the Water Meters and Accessories Quality Control Order 2023 notified vide S.O. 1142(E). Legal Metrology registration and, where applicable, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation product approval apply as separate customs-clearance overlays.

What this is

HSN code

9026 10 10

Chapter

90 · Optical, photographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 2373 · effective 07-09-2024

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

BISBIS·Bureau of Indian Standards

CDSCOCDSCO·Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation

MOHFWMOHFW·Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Compliance steps

1
Verify the foreign manufacturer's BIS CM/L licence on the BIS online register against IS 2373:1981 for bulk-type water meters or IS 779:1994 for domestic-type water meters. The CM/L must be current, facility-specific, and cover the meter type, accuracy class, and size of the consignment.
Water Meters and Accessories Quality Control Order, 2023 · S.O. 1142(E) dated 05-03-2024 · IS 2373:1981; IS 779:1994
2
Ensure every water meter 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 instrument body; marking only on packaging does not satisfy the standard-mark requirement.
Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · Water Meters and Accessories Quality Control Order, 2023
3
Obtain Legal Metrology registration and product approval certificates for water meters, applicable where required under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009. Upload the certificate of registration of importer of weights and measures (document code 101LM1) in e-Sanchit before out-of-charge.
Sections 19, 20 and 22 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 · Rules 11 to 15 (Sixth and Eighth Schedule) of the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011
4
If the goods are medical devices listed in G.S.R. 102(E), obtain the requisite Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation registration and product approval before import. Quote the CDSCO registration number on the bill of entry alongside the BIS CM/L number.
G.S.R. 102(E) dated 11-02-2020 issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
5
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number and, where applicable, the Legal Metrology registration reference on the bill of entry. For small enterprises, the QCO applies from 7 December 2024; for micro enterprises as defined in clauses (h) and (m) of the MSMED Act, 2006, from 7 March 2025.
Water Meters and Accessories Quality Control Order, 2023 · S.O. 1142(E) dated 05-03-2024 · MSMED Act, 2006, clauses (h) and (m)

A word of counsel

The most frequent compliance failure on this tariff line is sourcing from a manufacturer whose CM/L licence covers one meter type — bulk (IS 2373:1981) or domestic (IS 779:1994) — but not both, and then shipping a mixed consignment. Customs verification matches each unit's specification against the licensed product scope; a single out-of-scope meter in the consignment triggers detention of the entire lot. Confirm with the supplier, in writing and before the purchase order, that the CM/L explicitly covers every meter type, accuracy class, and nominal diameter in the shipment.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 9026 10 10 require BIS certification?

Yes. Water meters of the bulk type must conform to IS 2373:1981 and domestic-type meters to IS 779:1994, both under the ISI Mark Scheme, with effect from 7 September 2024 for general enterprises, pursuant to the Water Meters and Accessories Quality Control Order, 2023.

Is Legal Metrology registration required in addition to BIS QCO compliance?

Yes. Legal Metrology registration and product approval under Sections 19, 20 and 22 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 apply independently of the BIS QCO obligation. The importer's certificate of registration of weights and measures (101LM1) must be uploaded in e-Sanchit before out-of-charge.

Do the staggered enforcement dates for small and micro enterprises affect import obligations?

Yes. For small enterprises as defined in the MSMED Act, 2006 the QCO applies from 7 December 2024; for micro enterprises from 7 March 2025. General enterprises are bound from 7 September 2024. An enterprise claiming an extended date must document its MSMED classification at the time of import.

Does a single CM/L licence cover both bulk-type and domestic-type water meters?

Not automatically. IS 2373:1981 governs bulk-type meters and IS 779:1994 governs domestic-type meters; a CM/L licence is scope-specific by standard, meter type, accuracy class, and manufacturing facility. A supplier must hold separate or explicitly multi-scope CM/L coverage for each category shipped.

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