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Electrically operated watches with precious-metal case (smart watches)

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · CRS SCHEME · IS 13252 · WPC OVERLAY

HSN 9101 91 90 (electrically operated watches with precious-metal case, including smart watches) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 — with concurrent running against IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 and IS 616:2017 permitted until specified transition dates — is mandatory under the Compulsory Registration Scheme with effect from 18 March 2021, by virtue of the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021. Wireless Planning and Coordination Equipment Type Approval applies as a separate customs-clearance overlay.

What this is

HSN code

9101 91 90

Chapter

91 · Clocks and watches and parts thereof

BIS QCO

Applicable · Compulsory Registration Scheme · R-number required

Indian Standard

IS 13252 · effective 18-03-2021

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

BISBIS·Bureau of Indian Standards

WPCWPC·Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing

Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

Compliance steps

1
Verify the foreign supplier's BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme R-number on the BIS portal against IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 (or IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 / IS 616:2017 during the concurrent-running window). The R-number must be model-specific and current on the date of the shipping bill.
Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021 · S.O. 1248(E) dated 18-03-2021 · S.O. 4997(E) dated 29-10-2025
2
Confirm which standard the R-number is registered against. Smart watches fall under serial no. 65 of the notified schedule; concurrent running of IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 and IS 616:2017 with IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 is permitted only until 1 May 2026 for that serial number. After 1 May 2026, only IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 is valid.
S.O. 4997(E) dated 29-10-2025 · General Note 2(C) of the Import Policy
3
For smart watches or other wireless-capable devices, determine whether Equipment Type Approval from the Wireless Planning and Coordination wing is required. Licence-exempt wireless equipment with low transmission power may use a self-declaration ETA certificate generated via saralsanchar.gov.in.
CBIC Instruction 16/2022-CUS dated 21-07-2022 · CBIC Instruction 24/2024-CUS dated 22-10-2024 · DoT letter ETA-WPC/Policy/2018-19 dated 12-04-2019
4
Where WPC import licensing (not self-declaration ETA) is required, apply to the Department of Telecommunications via the saralsanchar portal at least 30 days before the expected arrival of the shipment. The system-generated certificate is downloadable 48 hours after application and is verifiable by customs via QR code.
DoT OM F.No. R-11017/02/2021-PP dated 21-10-2021 · CBIC Instruction 23/2021 dated 23-11-2021
5
Quote the BIS R-number and the applicable WPC ETA or import licence reference on the bill of entry. Ensure compliance with DGFT Notification 13/2024-25 and paragraphs 1 to 4 of CBIC Instruction 27/2025-CUS. Customs verifies the R-number in real time; an absent, expired, or scope-mismatched R-number triggers consignment detention.
DGFT Notification 13/24-25 dated 20-05-2024 · CBIC Instruction 27/2025-CUS dated 26-08-2025 · BIS Act, 2016 · Customs Act, 1962

A word of counsel

The most consequential error on this tariff line is registering the product against IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 or IS 616:2017 without checking whether the smart-watch-specific concurrent-running deadline of 1 May 2026 has passed. For goods at serial no. 65 of the notified schedule, customs will reject R-numbers issued under the legacy standards after that date — whereas all other goods in the schedule retain concurrent running until 1 November 2028. Verify the serial-number mapping in the schedule before every consignment, not once at the time of initial registration.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 9101 91 90 require BIS certification?

Yes. Electrically operated watches with precious-metal case, including smart watches, require Bureau of Indian Standards registration under the Compulsory Registration Scheme with effect from 18 March 2021, under S.O. 1248(E) as amended by S.O. 4997(E).

Is Wireless Planning and Coordination approval required separately from BIS QCO compliance?

Yes. WPC Equipment Type Approval or an import licence from the Department of Telecommunications is required for wireless-capable devices and is independent of the BIS R-number obligation. Licence-exempt low-power wireless devices may use self-declaration ETA via saralsanchar.gov.in.

When does IS 13252 and IS 616 concurrent running end for smart watches?

For smart watches at serial no. 65 of the notified schedule, concurrent running of IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 and IS 616:2017 with IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 ends on 1 May 2026. For all other goods in the schedule the deadline is 1 November 2028, after which the legacy standards are withdrawn.

Does a single Compulsory Registration Scheme R-number cover all watch models from the same manufacturer?

No. The R-number is model-specific; watch variants outside the registered model code are not covered, and a model-code mismatch with the BIS register at customs triggers detention of the consignment.

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