🎧 Electronics and wireless
Importing Consumer Electronics into India: HS Codes, Duty, BIS and WPC
By Abhishek Sadashiv · 16 years of experience in global logistics · Updated 24 September 2026 · 9 min read
Electronics are among the most imported goods into India, and among the most likely to get stuck at customs. The duty is only part of the cost; the real risk is compliance. Many products can't be cleared without BIS registration, and anything wireless needs WPC approval.
This guide covers speakers, earbuds and headphones, smartwatches, chargers and adapters, power banks, and similar consumer electronics.
Where these products are classified
Most consumer electronics fall in Chapter 85 (electrical equipment), with some in Chapter 84 (machines and computers).
| Product type | Usual heading |
|---|---|
| Loudspeakers, headphones, earbuds, microphones | 8518 |
| Mobile phones, smartwatches with communication functions, routers | 8517 |
| Chargers, adapters, power supplies | 8504 |
| Lithium-ion batteries and power banks | 8507 |
| Laptops, tablets and computers | 8471 |
| Monitors and TVs | 8528 |
The exact 8-digit code depends on details: whether a speaker is in one enclosure, whether a smartwatch can make calls or connect to a network, whether a charger is a separate unit. These details are exactly what customs checks.
How the import duty adds up
Indian import duty is built in layers, all worked out on the assessable value, which is normally the CIF value (cost + insurance + freight) converted to rupees at the CBIC exchange rate:
| Layer | What it is |
|---|---|
| Basic Customs Duty (BCD) | The main duty. Set by the tariff and often reduced or increased by notifications. |
| AIDC | Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess, applied to some goods only. |
| Social Welfare Surcharge (SWS) | Usually 10% of the customs duties, unless exempt. |
| IGST | Charged on assessable value + BCD + SWS (+ AIDC). Registered importers can usually claim it back as input tax credit. |
| Other duties | Compensation cess, anti-dumping or safeguard duty, only on specific goods and origins. |
Rates change with every Union Budget and with customs notifications, so always check the current rate for your exact 8-digit code.
Electronics duties have been changed often in recent Budgets to encourage manufacturing in India, so rates for finished products, parts and sub-assemblies can differ widely.
Compliance checklist
| Requirement | Status | What you need to do |
|---|---|---|
| BIS Compulsory Registration (CRS) | 🔴 Mandatory for listed products | Many electronics are covered under the Electronics and IT Goods (Compulsory Registration) Order. The foreign manufacturer registers with BIS through an Authorised Indian Representative, after testing in a BIS-recognised lab. The product and packaging must carry the registration number. Customs won't clear listed products without it. |
| WPC Equipment Type Approval (ETA) | 🔴 Mandatory if wireless | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and other radio devices need ETA from the WPC Wing (Department of Telecommunications), applied for on the Saral Sanchar portal, usually with a test report from an accredited lab. |
| E-waste EPR | 🔴 Mandatory for listed products | Importers of electrical and electronic equipment listed in the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 must register on the CPCB EPR portal and meet collection targets. |
| Battery EPR | 🔴 Mandatory if batteries are included | The Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022 apply to batteries imported on their own or inside products. |
| Legal Metrology labelling | 🔴 Mandatory for retail packs | Register as an importer and label each retail pack with the importer's name and address, country of origin, MRP, net quantity, month and year of import, and consumer care details. |
| MTCTE (TEC) | 🟠 Check | Telecom equipment such as phones and routers may need Mandatory Testing and Certification from TEC. |
| Lithium battery shipping rules | 🟠 Check | Air and sea shipments with lithium batteries need correct dangerous-goods declarations and a UN38.3 test summary. |
| BEE star labelling | 🟠 Check | Mandatory for some appliances, such as TVs. |
| FSSAI / CDSCO | 🟢 Not required | Not applicable to consumer electronics. |
🔴 Mandatory · 🟠 Check · 🟢 Not required
Import policy
Most new consumer electronics are Free to import under ITC-HS, subject to the conditions above. But watch for:
- Laptops, tablets, all-in-one PCs and servers under heading 8471 are Restricted for calendar year 2026: importers need an online authorisation from DGFT under its Import Management System before shipping. Check the current policy circular before ordering, as it is reviewed each year.
- Used and refurbished electronics are generally restricted and need specific permission.
Common mistakes
- Shipping before the BIS registration is granted. Registration can take weeks, and goods that arrive first can be held, re-exported or destroyed, with demurrage adding up.
- Assuming the supplier's CE or FCC certificate is enough. Indian BIS and WPC approvals are separate requirements.
- Registering the wrong model. BIS registration is per model and brand, so a new colour or variant may need its own entry.
- Forgetting EPR. E-waste and battery EPR apply to the importer, not only to manufacturers.
- Using a generic "electronic device" description. Vague invoice descriptions invite queries and re-classification.
Check your exact product
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16 years of experience in global logistics
Built EximSetu after 16 years in global logistics, watching shipments get held, reassessed or delayed because of a wrong HS code or a missed compliance step. Every guide here is written from that experience, for the people who actually move cargo.
Frequently asked questions
▸Do Bluetooth speakers and earbuds need BIS registration in India?
Many audio and wireless products are on the BIS Compulsory Registration list. Check the current CRS product list for your exact product, and remember that Bluetooth devices also need WPC Equipment Type Approval.
▸What is WPC approval?
WPC Equipment Type Approval (ETA) is issued by the Department of Telecommunications for devices that use radio frequencies, such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi products. It is applied for on the Saral Sanchar portal.
▸Can I import electronics without BIS if it's a small quantity?
Generally no. For products on the CRS list, the requirement applies to commercial imports regardless of quantity. Limited exemptions exist for things like samples, which have their own conditions.
▸Does the importer have to register for e-waste EPR?
Yes. Under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, importers of listed electrical and electronic equipment are treated as producers and must register on the CPCB EPR portal.
More guides
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules and rates change; always confirm for your exact product with your customs broker or the official notification.