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HS Code for Electric Cable in India: House Wire, Duty and BIS QCO
By Abhishek Sadashiv · 16 years of experience in global logistics · Updated 5 October 2026 · 5 min read
Usual HS code for electric cable (import)
8544 49
Insulated electric conductors up to 1,000 V, not fitted with connectors. The last two digits depend on insulation type and use.
Electric cable is a heavy, low-margin, high-volume product. Every rupee of duty or demurrage shows up in your price per coil. And cables are one of those products where BIS isn't optional, so an importer who skips it can end up with a container that can't be cleared.
Here's how I'd work through it.
The usual HS code: 8544 49
| Level | Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter | 85 | Electrical machinery and equipment |
| Heading | 8544 | Insulated wire, cable and other insulated electric conductors |
| Subheading | 8544 49 | Other electric conductors, for a voltage not exceeding 1,000 V, not fitted with connectors |
| Tariff item | 8544 49 xx | Depends on insulation and whether it's for telecom use |
Ordinary PVC house wire and flexible cable sold in coils is insulated, rated up to 1,000 V (1100V grade is still in this band for classification), and has no plugs or connectors on it. That's 8544 49. The Indian tariff then splits it by insulation material and by telecom versus other use, so I give six digits here and let your exact cable decide the last two.
Why not 8544 42 or 8544 60?
Two common mix-ups:
- 8544 42 is for conductors fitted with connectors. A coil of house wire has none. Power cords and leads with a moulded plug are a different story.
- 8544 60 is for conductors for voltages above 1,000 V. A medium-voltage armoured power cable goes here, not house wire.
Copper wire that isn't insulated at all (bare or just enamelled for windings) is a different heading again.
Not sure which line your electric cable 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 electric cable →What decides the final classification
- Voltage rating: up to 1,000 V (8544 49) vs above (8544 60).
- Connectors fitted or not: 8544 49 vs 8544 42.
- Insulation type: PVC, rubber, paper or other, which picks the 8-digit line.
- Telecom use vs power use: separate lines within 8544 49.
- Coaxial cable, winding wire and optical fibre cable each have their own subheadings.
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. Cables have also been the subject of trade remedy investigations in the past, so check whether any anti-dumping or other additional duty applies to your origin. Rates change by notification; check them on the day you file.
Run your exact cable through a lookup, or use the free import duty calculator. On a heavy product like this, the landed cost calculator is worth using too.
Compliance checklist for electric cables
| Requirement | Status | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| BIS licence (ISI mark) under QCO | 🔴 Mandatory | PVC insulated cables for working voltages up to and including 1100 V (IS 694) are under a BIS Quality Control Order. The factory needs a BIS licence and the cable must carry the ISI mark. |
| Other cable types | 🟠 Check | Elastomer-insulated cables, XLPE power cables and others have their own standards. Check whether your type is under a QCO. |
| Legal Metrology | 🔴 For retail packs | Coils sold to consumers need importer details, MRP, net quantity (length) and customer care details. |
| Anti-dumping or safeguard duty | 🟠 Check | Check for any trade remedy duty in force on your cable type and origin. |
🔴 Mandatory · 🟠 Check · 🟢 Not required
Mistakes that cost importers money
- Assuming copper cable is "just raw material" with no BIS requirement.
- Declaring cut lengths with plugs as plain coils.
- Short-length coils. A 90 metre coil sold as 90 metres must actually be 90 metres; Legal Metrology checks this.
- Ignoring trade remedy duties that can apply on top of the normal rate.
My advice
For cables, BIS comes first and the code second. Find a factory with a valid BIS licence for exactly your cable type and size range, then check the exact 8-digit line with your CHA or a lookup. Cable is a repeat product, so getting it right once sets you up for every container after that.
Get the exact code and duty for your electric cable
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 electric cable 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 electric cable in India?
Insulated electric cable and house wire up to 1,000 V without connectors usually falls under 8544 49. The final 8 digits depend on the insulation type and whether it is for telecom use.
▸What is the HS code for PVC house wire?
PVC insulated house wire without connectors is usually classified within 8544 49. Check the exact 8-digit line for your cable before filing.
▸Do imported electric cables need BIS certification?
Yes, for covered types. PVC insulated cables up to 1100 V (IS 694) are under a BIS Quality Control Order and need the ISI mark under a BIS licence.
▸What HS code applies to power cords with plugs?
Cables fitted with connectors, like power cords with a moulded plug, usually fall under 8544 42 rather than 8544 49.
Related HS codes
💡 Full guide: Importing LED Lights and Electrical Goods into India: HS Codes, BIS and QCOs →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.