HS Code for Ball Bearings in India: Bore Size, Housed Units and BIS

Bearings are one of those products where everyone thinks the code is obvious, until the Bill of Entry gets queried. A bearing is a bearing, right? Not quite. Customs cares about whether it's a ball or a roller, how big the bore is, and whether it comes inside a housing.

Here's how I'd work it out before the shipment lands at Nhava Sheva or Chennai.

The usual HS code: 8482 10

Deep groove, angular contact and self-aligning ball bearings all sit under 8482 10. The Indian tariff then splits them by bore diameter, which is why I can't give you one 8-digit code for "ball bearings". A 6205 (25 mm bore) and a 6220 (100 mm bore) land on different tariff items.

Roller bearings are separate: tapered roller (8482 20), spherical roller (8482 30), needle roller (8482 40) and cylindrical roller (8482 50). If your invoice just says "bearings", that's the first thing to fix.

Why not 8483 20 or 8483 30?

This is the mix-up I see most often with pillow blocks and flanged units (the UCP, UCF type). Importers file them under 8482 because there's a ball bearing inside. But heading 8483 specifically covers bearing housings incorporating ball or roller bearings (8483 20), and housings without bearings or plain shaft bearings (8483 30).

So a bare insert bearing goes under 8482, while the same insert fitted in a cast-iron housing usually goes under 8483 20. Ship them together on one invoice and you'll need two lines.

The other one to watch is parts: loose steel balls, cages and races go under 8482 91 and 8482 99, not under the complete bearing code.

What decides the final code

• Ball or roller: decides the subheading (8482 10 vs 8482 20 to 8482 80).
• Bore diameter: decides the 8-digit tariff item within 8482 10. Check the series number on the drawing, not the outer diameter.
• Housed or bare: housed units usually move to 8483 20.
• Complete or parts: balls, rollers, cages and rings are 8482 91 / 8482 99.
• Wheel hub units for cars: often argued between 8482 and motor vehicle parts (8708). Get these checked separately.

How import duty is worked out

Duty is calculated on the assessable value (CIF in rupees): Basic Customs Duty, then any cess or surcharge that applies on top, then IGST on the total. Bearings from certain countries have attracted anti-dumping duty at different times, so check whether any trade remedy notification covers your exact type and origin. Rates change by notification, so confirm on the day you file.

Run your exact bearing through a lookup, or put your numbers into the free import duty calculator. For full cost to warehouse, use the landed cost calculator.

Compliance checklist for ball bearings

🔴 Mandatory · 🟠 Check · 🟢 Not required

Mistakes that cost importers money

• Writing just "bearings" on the invoice, with no type, series or bore size. It invites a query and delays clearance.
• Putting pillow blocks under 8482 because there's a bearing inside.
• Importing "branded" bearings from a trading company without proof they're genuine. Counterfeit bearings get seized.
• Ignoring the QCO news. Once an order is final, non-certified stock can't be cleared.

My advice

Bearings are a volume game, so a small classification error repeats on every container. Make a simple sheet of each part number with its type, bore size and code, get it checked once, and give it to your CHA. And if you deal in branded bearings, keep your authorisation papers ready.