Other

Electricity meters, static and smart types (watt-hour, var-hour)

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · IS 13010 · CDSCO OVERLAY · MOHFW OVERLAY

HSN 9028 30 90 (electricity meters) is covered by Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Orders. Conformity to IS 16444 (Parts 1 and 2) for smart meters is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 18 January 2024; IS 13010, IS 13779, and IS 14697 govern conventional AC watt-hour and var-hour meters under a separate Quality Control Order. Medical-device registration with the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation and mandatory type-approval under the Department of Telecommunications MTCTE framework apply as separate customs-clearance overlays where applicable.

What this is

HSN code

9028 30 90

Chapter

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

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 13010 · effective 18-01-2024

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
Identify the exact meter type being imported and match it to the governing Indian Standard: IS 13010 for AC watt-hour meters class 0.5, 1 and 2; IS 13779 for AC static watt-hour meters class 1 and 2; IS 14697 for AC static transformer-operated watt-hour and var-hour meters class 0.2S and 0.5S; IS 16444 Part 1 for AC static direct-connected smart meters class 1 and 2; IS 16444 Part 2 for AC static transformer-operated smart meters class 0.2S, 0.5S and 1.0S.
Electrical Wires, Cables, Appliances and Protection Devices and Accessories (Quality Control) Order, 2003 · S.O. 189(E) dated 17-02-2003 · Smart Meters (Quality Control) Order, 2023 · S.O. 3154(E) dated 14-07-2023
2
Verify the foreign manufacturer's BIS CM/L licence number on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order. The licence must specify the applicable Indian Standard, meter class, and manufacturing facility; a licence against IS 13010 does not cover smart meters governed by IS 16444, and vice versa.
Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the Bureau of Indian Standards (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · Smart Meters (Quality Control) Order, 2023 · S.O. 3154(E) dated 14-07-2023
3
Ensure every meter bears the ISI mark, the supplier's CM/L number, and a batch or serial identifier traceable to the licensed manufacturing facility. Marking must appear on the product itself, not only on outer packaging.
Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the Bureau of Indian Standards (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · BIS Act, 2016
4
If the meter is a medical device listed in G.S.R. 102(E), obtain Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation 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
5
If the meter incorporates telecom functionality subject to MTCTE mandatory certification, verify type-approval compliance per Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules 2017 and applicable DoT/TEC notifications. Quote the CM/L number and all applicable overlay authorisations on the bill of entry; absence of any one triggers consignment detention.
Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017 · DoT Notification TEC/01/2017-TC dated 04-07-2019 · F.No.5-2/2021-TC/TEC/131 dated 13-06-2022 · F.No.5-2/2024-TC/TEC (Pt.1) dated 25-02-2025

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is presenting a CM/L licence against one meter standard (most frequently IS 13779 for conventional static meters) for a consignment of smart meters governed by IS 16444 — or the reverse. Each Indian Standard maps to a distinct meter class and technology type; customs officers conducting real-time BIS register verification will flag a standard-class mismatch as a scope failure, triggering detention and potential re-export of the entire consignment. Confirm the exact standard, part number, and meter class stated on the CM/L against the purchase order specification before shipment.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 9028 30 90 require BIS certification?

Yes. All electricity meters under this tariff line require a Bureau of Indian Standards CM/L licence under the ISI Mark Scheme. Smart meters must conform to IS 16444 (Parts 1 or 2) under the Smart Meters (Quality Control) Order, 2023; conventional meters must conform to IS 13010, IS 13779, or IS 14697 under the Electrical Wires, Cables, Appliances and Protection Devices and Accessories (Quality Control) Order, 2003.

Does the enforcement date differ for small enterprises importing smart meters?

Yes. For smart meters under IS 16444, the mandatory enforcement date is 18 January 2024 for all importers except small enterprises as defined in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006, for whom the effective date is 18 April 2024.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all meter types and classes under this HSN?

No. Each CM/L licence is standard-specific and class-specific — a licence against IS 13010 (AC watt-hour meters class 0.5, 1, 2) does not authorise import of smart meters under IS 16444, nor transformer-operated meters under IS 14697. The licence must match the imported meter's standard, part, and class.

Is CDSCO registration required for all electricity meters under this HSN?

No. CDSCO registration under G.S.R. 102(E) applies only to electricity meters that are classified as medical devices in the schedule notified by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; standard utility meters are not within that scope.

Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-18. Source: BIS / CDSCO / MOHFW / Indian Customs CUSDATA.