Played with a bow

Bowed string instruments, electric and electro-acoustic variants

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · CRS SCHEME · IS 13252

HSN 9202 10 00 (bowed string instruments played with a bow) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order under the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement of Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021. Electric and electro-acoustic violins, violas, cellos, and double-basses must conform to IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 under the Compulsory Registration Scheme, with IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 and IS 616:2017 permitted in concurrent running until 1 November 2028. Directorate General of Foreign Trade and Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs policy overlays apply as separate customs-clearance requirements.

What this is

HSN code

9202 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 holds a current BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme R-number against IS/IEC 62368-1:2023, IS 13252 (Part 1):2010, or IS 616:2017 (during the concurrent-running window to 1 November 2028) on the BIS online register. The R-number must be model-specific and valid on the date of the shipping bill.
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 the standard under which the R-number is registered. From 1 November 2028, IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 and IS 616:2017 are withdrawn; only IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 registration will be accepted. Plan supplier transitions before the concurrent-running window closes.
S.O. 4997(E) dated 29-10-2025 · Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement of Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021
3
Ensure each instrument bears the BIS Standard Mark and the supplier's R-number per Scheme II of Schedule II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Marking must appear on the product or its permanently affixed label, not on packaging alone.
Scheme II of Schedule II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · S.O. 1248(E) dated 18-03-2021
4
Ensure compliance with DGFT Notification 13/24-25 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 to the Import Policy before filing the bill of entry.
DGFT Notification 13/24-25 dated 20-05-2024 · Para 2(c) of General Notes to Import Policy
5
Verify compliance with paragraphs 1 to 4 of Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs Instruction 27/2025-Cus dated 26-08-2025. Quote the supplier's BIS R-number on the bill of entry; customs verifies it in real time against the BIS register, and an absent, expired, or scope-mismatched R-number triggers consignment detention.
CBIC Instruction 27/2025-Cus dated 26-08-2025 · BIS Act, 2016 · Customs Act, 1962

A word of counsel

The sharpest trap on this tariff line is sourcing against IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 or IS 616:2017 without a transition plan to IS/IEC 62368-1:2023. Both legacy standards are withdrawn after 1 November 2028, and purchase orders placed on multi-year production contracts today will generate non-compliant consignments tomorrow — detention and re-export at the importer's cost, with no grace period after the deadline. Secure a parallel R-number against IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 from the supplier before the concurrent-running window closes.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 9202 10 00 require BIS certification?

Yes. Electric and electro-acoustic bowed string instruments under this tariff line require Bureau of Indian Standards registration under the Compulsory Registration Scheme against IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 (or IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 or IS 616:2017 during concurrent running) with effect from 18 March 2021.

Until when can suppliers use IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 or IS 616:2017 instead of IS/IEC 62368-1:2023?

The concurrent-running window for IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 and IS 616:2017 alongside IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 runs until 1 November 2028, after which both legacy standards are withdrawn and only IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 registration is valid.

Do purely acoustic bowed instruments without any electronic circuitry fall within the BIS QCO scope under S.O. 1248(E)?

The Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement of Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021 is directed at electronic musical systems; purely acoustic instruments without electronic input power fall outside the IS/IEC 62368-1 scope, but importers should verify the consignment specification against the notified product list before filing.

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

No. The R-number is model-specific; instrument variants outside the registered model code are not covered, and customs will detain a consignment where the declared model does not match the registered model on the BIS portal.

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