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HS Code for Air Fryer in India: Import Duty, BIS and Compliance
By Abhishek Sadashiv · 16 years of experience in global logistics · Updated 5 October 2026 · 5 min read
Usual HS code for air fryer (import)
8516 60 00
Electric ovens, cookers, grillers and roasters for domestic use. An air fryer is a small electric cooker, so it sits here.
Air fryers went from a niche gadget to a kitchen staple in a few years, and a lot of new importers jumped in. Most of the shipments come from China, and most of the questions I get are the same: which code, and does BIS apply now?
The code itself is not hard once you see how customs thinks about it. The compliance side is where people get caught.
The usual HS code: 8516 60 00
| Level | Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter | 85 | Electrical machinery and equipment |
| Heading | 8516 | Electric heaters and electro-thermic domestic appliances |
| Subheading | 8516 60 | Other ovens; cookers, cooking plates, boiling rings, grillers and roasters |
| Tariff item | 8516 60 00 | Other ovens; cookers, grillers and roasters |
An air fryer is a heating element plus a fan in a closed basket. It cooks food with hot air, which is really what a small convection oven does. That cooking-by-heat function is why it goes to 8516 60 with ovens and cookers.
Why not 8516 79 or 8419?
This is one of the most common mix-ups I see on air fryer invoices. Some suppliers use 8516 79 ("other electro-thermic appliances"), because it feels like a catch-all for kitchen gadgets. But 8516 79 is for appliances not covered by a more specific subheading, and 8516 60 is more specific for something that cooks food.
Others pick 8419 because it mentions cooking and heating machinery. That heading is for industrial and commercial equipment, not domestic electro-thermic appliances. A home air fryer belongs in Chapter 85.
If your product is an air fryer oven with rotisserie and multiple racks, it usually still stays in 8516 60. A combination microwave with air fry mode is a different story: microwaves have their own line (8516 50).
Not sure which line your air fryer falls under?
Describe it or snap a photo. EximSetu asks the 2–4 questions that change the code, then gives the 8-digit HS code with reasoning, the duty in rupees and the compliance checklist.
Check my air fryer →What decides the final classification
- Heating method: hot air and resistance heating keeps it in 8516 60. Microwave heating moves it to 8516 50.
- Domestic or commercial: a large commercial fryer for restaurants can be argued under 8419. Size and intended use matter.
- Oil fryers: a traditional deep fat fryer is still an electro-thermic cooker, but confirm before you file.
- Accessories shipped alone: baskets, liners and racks imported separately are not classified as the air fryer.
How import duty is worked out
Duty is calculated on the assessable value (CIF in rupees): Basic Customs Duty, then the Social Welfare Surcharge on that duty, then IGST on the total. Rates for home appliances change through Budget notifications, so check the current rate for 8516 60 00 on the day you file.
The fastest way is to run your exact model through a lookup, or put your numbers into the free import duty calculator. If you are pricing for Amazon or Flipkart, the landed cost calculator adds freight, CHA and port charges too.
Compliance checklist for air fryers
| Requirement | Status | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| BIS certification (QCO) | 🔴 Mandatory | Household electrical appliances are under the Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances QCO, in force from 1 October 2026 for most manufacturers. The foreign manufacturer needs a BIS licence and the ISI mark on the product. |
| E-waste EPR | 🟠 Check | Many household cooking appliances are in Schedule I of the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022. If yours is covered, the importer needs EPR registration with CPCB. |
| Legal Metrology | 🔴 For retail packs | Importer name and address, MRP, net quantity, month of import and customer care details on the pack. |
| Plug and voltage | 🟢 Not required | No separate approval, but the product should be built for Indian 230V supply and Indian plug type. |
🔴 Mandatory · 🟠 Check · 🟢 Not required
Mistakes that cost importers money
- Accepting 8516 79 or 8419 from the supplier without checking the more specific line.
- Shipping before the factory has its BIS licence. After the QCO date, customs can hold the cargo.
- Ordering a new capacity or model that isn't covered by the existing BIS licence.
- Forgetting the Legal Metrology sticker until the marketplace rejects the listing.
My advice
Air fryers are a crowded category, so margins are thin and a held container hurts. Before you place the order, ask the supplier for their BIS licence details for that exact model, and check your code once. Then every repeat shipment is easy.
Get the exact code and duty for your air fryer
Every variant is different. Answer 2–4 questions and get the 8-digit code with reasoning, duty in rupees and the compliance checklist in minutes.
Check my air fryer free →Written by
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
▸What is the HS code for an air fryer in India?
A domestic electric air fryer is usually classified under 8516 60 00, the line for electric ovens, cookers, grillers and roasters.
▸Is an air fryer classified under 8516 79?
Usually not. 8516 79 is for other electro-thermic appliances not covered by a more specific line. Since an air fryer cooks food, 8516 60 is the more specific fit.
▸Do imported air fryers need BIS certification?
Yes, under the household electrical appliances Quality Control Order in force from 1 October 2026 for most manufacturers. The manufacturer needs a BIS licence and the ISI mark.
▸Can I import an air fryer for resale on Amazon or Flipkart?
Yes, with a valid IEC, BIS-certified models, Legal Metrology labelling and EPR where it applies. Marketplaces usually ask for BIS details at listing.
Related HS codes
🧭 Full guide: How to Find the Correct HS Code for Your Product in India →This page is general information, not legal advice. The usual code can change with the exact product, and rates and rules change by notification. Always confirm for your exact product with your customs broker or the official notification.