💡 Lighting and electrical
Importing LED Lights and Electrical Goods into India: HS Codes, BIS and QCOs
By Abhishek Sadashiv · 16 years of experience in global logistics · Updated 24 September 2026 · 8 min read
LED lights, cables, switches and small appliances are popular imports, and most of them are covered by Indian quality rules. Importers who plan for BIS certification and labelling clear smoothly; those who don't often see goods held at the port.
Where these products are classified
| Product type | Usual heading |
|---|---|
| LED lamps (bulbs and tubes) | 8539 |
| Luminaires and light fittings (a lamp built into a fixture) | 9405 |
| LED drivers and power supplies | 8504 |
| Switches, plugs, sockets, circuit breakers | 8535 / 8536 |
| Insulated wires and cables | 8544 |
| Fans | 8414 |
| Irons, heaters, kettles and similar appliances | 8516 |
A frequent source of disputes is lamp vs luminaire. A replaceable LED bulb is a lamp; a panel light or fixture with LEDs built in is usually a luminaire. LED strips and modules need care too.
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.
Compliance checklist
| Requirement | Status | What you need to do |
|---|---|---|
| BIS CRS registration for LED products | 🔴 Mandatory for listed products | LED lamps, LED luminaires and many LED drivers are on the BIS Compulsory Registration list. The foreign manufacturer registers each model after testing, and the registration number goes on the product and packaging. |
| ISI mark under Quality Control Orders | 🔴 Mandatory for listed products | Several QCOs cover electrical accessories and appliances, such as cables, switches, plugs and sockets, circuit breakers and household appliances. These need a BIS licence and the ISI mark. |
| BEE star labelling | 🟠 Check | Mandatory for some products, such as ceiling fans. Check whether your product is on BEE's mandatory list. |
| E-waste EPR | 🟠 Check | Many electrical and electronic products, including some lighting equipment, are covered by the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022. |
| Legal Metrology labelling | 🔴 Mandatory for retail packs | Importer registration plus the mandatory label declarations. |
| WPC approval | 🟠 Check | Smart lights and appliances with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth need WPC Equipment Type Approval. |
| FSSAI / CDSCO | 🟢 Not required | Not applicable. |
🔴 Mandatory · 🟠 Check · 🟢 Not required
Import policy
Most new lighting and electrical goods are Free to import under ITC-HS. In practice, the Quality Control Orders and BIS registration are what decide whether goods can be cleared.
Common mistakes
- Declaring a luminaire as a lamp (or the other way round), which changes the code and can change the duty.
- Registering a model but shipping a variant with a different wattage or design.
- Assuming a CB or CE certificate is enough. Indian BIS approval is separate.
- Importing cables or switches without the ISI mark where a QCO applies.
- Forgetting BEE labels for products on the mandatory list.
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 LED lights need BIS registration for import into India?
LED lamps, LED luminaires and many LED drivers are on the BIS Compulsory Registration list. Each model needs registration, and the registration number must appear on the product and packaging.
▸What is a QCO?
A Quality Control Order is a government order that makes a BIS standard mandatory for a product. Products under a QCO can't be sold or imported without BIS certification.
▸Is an LED panel light a lamp or a luminaire?
A fixture with LEDs built in, like most panel lights, is usually classified as a luminaire, while a replaceable LED bulb is a lamp. The exact code depends on the design.
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.