Upright pianos

Upright pianos with electronic or electro-acoustic systems

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · CRS SCHEME · IS 13252

HSN 9201 10 00 (upright pianos) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order as electronic musical systems. Conformity to IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 is mandatory under the Compulsory Registration Scheme per Scheme-II of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018, with effect from 18 March 2021 under the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement of Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021. Directorate General of Foreign Trade and Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs policy conditions apply as separate customs-clearance overlays.

What this is

HSN code

9201 10 00

Chapter

92 · Musical instruments; parts and accessories

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

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. The R-number must be registered against IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 (or IS 13252:Part 1:2010 or IS 616:2017 during the concurrent-running window) and must be model-specific and current on the shipping bill date.
Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement of 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 supplier's R-number is registered against. IS 13252:Part 1:2010 and IS 616:2017 run concurrently with IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 for electronic musical systems (Serial No. 65 goods) until 01-05-2026; for all other covered goods the concurrent window extends to 01-11-2028, after which IS 13252:Part 1:2010 and IS 616:2017 stand withdrawn.
S.O. 4997(E) dated 29-10-2025 · General Note 2(C) of the Import Policy
3
Ensure each piano unit bears the Standard Mark under the CRS R-number, as prescribed by Scheme-II of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. The Standard Mark must appear on the product or its nameplate, not only on packaging.
Scheme-II of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · S.O. 1248(E) dated 18-03-2021
4
Ensure compliance with the requirements of CBIC Instruction 27/2025-Cus dated 26-08-2025, paragraphs 1 to 4, before filing the bill of entry. Quote the supplier's BIS R-number on the bill of entry; absence, expiry, or model-code mismatch triggers consignment detention.
CBIC Instruction 27/2025-Cus dated 26-08-2025 · BIS Act, 2016 · Customs Act, 1962
5
Verify compliance with DGFT Notification 13/2024-25 dated 20-05-2024 with respect to paragraph 2.31(1)(b) of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 and paragraph 2(c) of the General Notes of the Import Policy before finalising the import transaction.
DGFT Notification 13/2024-25 dated 20-05-2024 · Para 2(c) of General Notes of the Import Policy

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is treating upright pianos as purely mechanical instruments and overlooking the BIS Compulsory Registration obligation that attaches once electronic or electro-acoustic systems are incorporated. The QCO is triggered by the electronic musical system classification under the Electronics and IT Goods Order, not by the piano's mechanical components. Importers who ship against an R-number registered under the legacy IS 13252:Part 1:2010 for Serial No. 65 goods after 01 May 2026 will face detention — the concurrent-running window for that sub-category closes earlier than the general 01 November 2028 window.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 9201 10 00 require BIS certification?

Yes. Upright pianos with electronic or electro-acoustic systems are classified as electronic musical systems and require Bureau of Indian Standards registration under the Compulsory Registration Scheme against IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 with effect from 18 March 2021 under S.O. 1248(E).

Can a supplier still use IS 13252 or IS 616 registration during the concurrent-running period?

Yes, subject to the applicable window. For Serial No. 65 goods (electronic musical systems), concurrent running of IS 13252:Part 1:2010 and IS 616:2017 with IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 is permitted until 01 May 2026; for all other covered goods the window extends to 01 November 2028, after which both legacy standards are withdrawn.

What CBIC instruction applies at the time of customs clearance?

CBIC Instruction 27/2025-Cus dated 26-08-2025, paragraphs 1 to 4, applies at the time of filing the bill of entry and must be complied with independently of the BIS R-number requirement.

Does a single CRS R-number cover all upright piano models from the same manufacturer?

No. The R-number is model-specific; piano models outside the registered model code are not covered, and a model-code mismatch between the consignment and the BIS register triggers detention at port.

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