📹 Mobile and electronics
HS Code for CCTV Camera in India: BIS, Security Testing and Duty
By Abhishek Sadashiv · 16 years of experience in global logistics · Updated 5 October 2026 · 5 min read
Usual HS code for cctv camera (import)
8525 89 00
Television cameras, digital cameras and video camera recorders, other. Standard IP and analogue CCTV cameras usually land here.
CCTV cameras used to be a simple import: pick the code, get BIS, clear the container. That changed. India now expects every CCTV model to pass cybersecurity testing as part of its BIS registration, and that has caught a lot of importers and installers off guard.
Here's how I'd think about the code and the compliance together.
The usual HS code: 8525 89 00
| Level | Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter | 85 | Electrical machinery and equipment |
| Heading | 8525 | Transmission apparatus for broadcasting or television; television cameras, digital cameras and video camera recorders |
| Subheading | 8525 89 | Other cameras (not high-speed, radiation-hardened or night vision) |
| Tariff item | 8525 89 00 | Other |
A CCTV camera captures video and sends it to a recorder or the cloud. Under the 2022 nomenclature, cameras in 8525 are split into high-speed, radiation-hardened, night vision and "other". Most dome, bullet and IP cameras for homes, shops and offices are in the "other" group.
Why not 8525 83 (night vision)?
This is the confusion I see most now. Almost every CCTV camera is sold as "night vision" because it has IR LEDs. Importers then pick 8525 83. But the night vision subheading is generally understood to cover cameras built around specialised low-light technology, not ordinary sensors helped by an IR lamp.
If your camera is a thermal or image-intensifier model, the answer can change. For a standard IR camera, I'd expect 8525 89 00. And the recorders (DVR/NVR) are separate products with their own codes; don't put them on the camera line.
What decides the final classification
- Sensor technology: ordinary CMOS with IR LEDs vs thermal or true low-light night vision.
- Recorders vs cameras: DVRs and NVRs are classified separately from the camera.
- Kits: a camera-plus-recorder kit may be classified as a set or split; check before you invoice it as one line.
- 4G cameras with a SIM still usually stay in 8525, but bring telecom checks.
Not sure which line your cctv camera 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 cctv camera →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. Camera duties in India have changed through Budget notifications, so check the current rate for 8525 89 00 on the day you file.
The quickest route is a lookup for your exact camera, or the import duty calculator. If you're quoting to installers, the landed cost calculator helps you price properly.
Compliance checklist for CCTV cameras
| Requirement | Status | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| BIS registration (CRS) | 🔴 Mandatory | "CCTV Cameras/CCTV Recorders" are under BIS Compulsory Registration (IS 13252 Part 1). Each model needs registration in the manufacturer's name. |
| Essential Requirements (security) testing | 🔴 Mandatory | MeitY's Essential Requirements for CCTV security mean each model must be tested at a recognised lab (STQC) for things like secure firmware and encryption before BIS registration. |
| WPC approval | 🟠 Check | Only for Wi-Fi or Bluetooth cameras. Check Equipment Type Approval for the radio. |
| E-waste EPR | 🟠 Check | Check whether your camera falls in the E-Waste Rules schedule and register with CPCB if it does. |
| Legal Metrology | 🔴 For retail packs | Importer details, MRP, net quantity and customer care on the box. |
🔴 Mandatory · 🟠 Check · 🟢 Not required
Mistakes that cost importers money
- Using an old BIS registration that was issued before the security testing requirement.
- Picking 8525 83 because the box says night vision.
- Putting cameras and NVRs on one invoice line.
- Ordering a new model without budgeting the testing time for it.
My advice
For CCTV, the testing timeline is now the long pole, not the shipping. Check that your supplier's exact model has both BIS and security clearance before you pay the advance. If you're unsure about a thermal or 4G variant, check it first.
Get the exact code and duty for your cctv camera
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 cctv camera 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 a CCTV camera in India?
Standard CCTV and IP cameras are usually classified under 8525 89 00, within heading 8525 for television and digital cameras.
▸Is an IR night vision CCTV camera classified under 8525 83?
Usually not. Cameras that simply use IR LEDs for night viewing are generally classified under 8525 89 00. Specialised thermal or low-light cameras may be different.
▸Do CCTV cameras need BIS certification?
Yes. CCTV cameras and recorders are under BIS Compulsory Registration, and each model must also pass the notified security (Essential Requirements) testing.
▸What is STQC testing for CCTV cameras?
It's the security testing of CCTV models against MeitY's Essential Requirements, done at recognised labs, covering firmware, encryption and access controls.
Related HS codes
🎧 Full guide: Importing Consumer Electronics into India: HS Codes, Duty, BIS and WPC →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.