Liquid meters

Liquid meters for water and flow measurement (water meters, bulk meters)

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

HSN 9028 20 00 (liquid meters) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 2373 (bulk-type water meters) and IS 779 (domestic-type water meters) is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 05 March 2024, pursuant to the Water Meters and Accessories (Quality Control) Order, 2023. Legal Metrology registration and, where the device falls within G.S.R. 102(E), Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation product approval apply as separate customs-clearance overlays.

What this is

HSN code

9028 20 00

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 05-03-2024

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
Source only from a Bureau of Indian Standards CM/L-licensed manufacturer holding a current licence against IS 2373 (bulk-type water meters) or IS 779 (domestic-type water meters), as applicable to the product variant being imported. Verify the supplier's CM/L number, licensed product scope, and manufacturing facility on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order.
Water Meters and Accessories (Quality Control) Order, 2023 · S.O. 1142(E) dated 05-03-2024 · Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
2
Confirm the correct IS standard against the product type: IS 2373:1981 governs bulk-type water meters and accessories; IS 779:1994 governs domestic-type (inferential) cold-water meters. A CM/L licence issued against one standard does not cover products requiring the other.
IS 2373:1981 (bulk-type water meters) · IS 779:1994 (domestic-type water meters) · S.O. 1142(E) dated 05-03-2024
3
Ensure every meter 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 itself; marking only on the packaging does not satisfy the requirement.
Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · Water Meters and Accessories (Quality Control) Order, 2023
4
Verify Legal Metrology registration and product approval certificates for bulk meters, measuring systems for liquids other than water, and water meters where applicable under Sections 19, 20, and 22 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 and Rules 11 to 15 (Eighth Schedule) of the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011.
Sections 19, 20, and 22 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 · Rules 11 to 15 (Eighth Schedule) of the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011 as amended
5
Where the liquid meter is also classified as a medical device under G.S.R. 102(E), obtain Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation product registration from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare 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 Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is presenting one CM/L licence as covering both bulk-type and domestic-type water meters. IS 2373 and IS 779 are distinct standards with separate CM/L licences; a consignment of domestic-type meters arriving under a bulk-type CM/L — or vice versa — is treated as uncertified goods at the port, triggering detention regardless of the ISI mark on the product. Verify at the purchase-order stage that the supplier's licence explicitly covers the exact meter type and IS standard for each line item on the invoice.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 9028 20 00 require BIS certification?

Yes. Liquid meters within this tariff line require conformity to IS 2373 (bulk-type) or IS 779 (domestic-type) under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 05 March 2024, pursuant to the Water Meters and Accessories (Quality Control) Order, 2023; import is permitted only from manufacturers holding a current BIS CM/L licence.

Do small and micro enterprises face the same enforcement date?

No. For domestic-type meters under IS 779:1994, small enterprises as defined under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 were required to comply from 07 December 2024, and micro enterprises from 07 March 2025; the bulk-type obligation under IS 2373 took effect from 07 September 2024.

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

Yes, where applicable. Legal Metrology registration and product approval certificates for bulk meters and liquid-measuring systems are required under Sections 19, 20, and 22 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009; this is an independent obligation from the BIS CM/L requirement.

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

No. IS 2373 and IS 779 are separate standards with separate CM/L licences; a licence against one standard does not authorise import of meters falling within the other, and customs detains consignments where the CM/L scope does not match the product type.

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