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HS Code for Electric Kettle in India: Import Duty, BIS and EPR
By Abhishek Sadashiv · 16 years of experience in global logistics · Updated 5 October 2026 · 5 min read
Usual HS code for electric kettle (import)
8516 79 90
Other electro-thermic domestic appliances. A kettle just boils water, so it doesn't fit the tea maker or water heater lines.
Electric kettles are a classic first import. Low unit price, steady demand from hotels and households, and suppliers in China who will put your brand on the box. It feels simple, and mostly it is.
But I still see the same two problems again and again: a code that doesn't match the product, and BIS treated as an afterthought.
The usual HS code: 8516 79 90
| Level | Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter | 85 | Electrical machinery and equipment |
| Heading | 8516 | Electric heaters and electro-thermic domestic appliances |
| Subheading | 8516 79 | Other electro-thermic appliances |
| Tariff item | 8516 79 90 | Other |
A kettle uses electric resistance heating to boil water for domestic use. Heading 8516 is clearly right. Inside it, there is no line that names "kettles", so it falls to the residual 8516 79, and within that to "other" (90).
Why not 8516 71 00 or 8516 10 00?
Importers often ask me why a kettle isn't under 8516 71 00 (coffee or tea makers). The answer is that a plain kettle only boils water. It doesn't brew. A tea maker with a brewing basket or infuser, or a kettle sold as a coffee machine, can genuinely move to 8516 71.
The other mix-up is 8516 10 00, which covers instantaneous and storage water heaters and immersion heaters. Those are geysers and immersion rods, not kettles.
You will also see 8516 79 10 (electro-thermic fluid heaters) on some invoices. Most importers use 79 90 for a household kettle, but this is worth confirming for your exact product.
Not sure which line your electric kettle 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 kettle →What decides the final classification
- Brewing function: a tea or coffee brewing feature points to 8516 71.
- Fixed installation: a wall-mounted hot water dispenser or geyser is 8516 10, not a kettle.
- Non-electric kettles: a stovetop steel kettle is not in Chapter 85 at all. It goes with steel kitchenware (7323).
- Travel kettles and multi-cookers: a "kettle" that also cooks noodles or eggs may be argued as a cooker under 8516 60.
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 change through Budget notifications, so check the current rate for your tariff item on the day you file.
Run your exact kettle through a lookup, or use the free import duty calculator with your invoice value.
Compliance checklist for electric kettles
| Requirement | Status | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| BIS certification (QCO) | 🔴 Mandatory | Appliances for heating liquids are under the Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances QCO, in force from 1 October 2026 for most manufacturers. The foreign factory needs a BIS licence and the ISI mark on the kettle. |
| E-waste EPR | 🔴 Mandatory | Electric kettles are in Schedule I of the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022. The importer needs EPR registration with CPCB before selling. |
| Legal Metrology | 🔴 For retail packs | Importer name and address, MRP, net quantity, month of import and customer care details. |
| Food-contact materials | 🟠 Check | Big buyers and marketplaces may ask for food-grade test reports for the inner body and lid. |
🔴 Mandatory · 🟠 Check · 🟢 Not required
Mistakes that cost importers money
- Using 8516 71 for a plain kettle because the supplier called it a "tea kettle".
- Booking the order before the factory has BIS for that exact model and wattage.
- Skipping E-waste EPR and finding out when the marketplace or a CPCB notice asks for it.
- Mixing kettles and other appliances in one bill of entry without a separate line and code for each.
My advice
Kettles are a volume game. Get the code, the BIS licence and EPR sorted once, and every container after that clears easily. If your product does anything more than boil water, check the code before you finalise the order.
Get the exact code and duty for your electric kettle
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 kettle 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 electric kettle in India?
A household electric kettle is usually classified under 8516 79 90 (other electro-thermic appliances). Tea makers with a brewing function can fall under 8516 71 00.
▸Is an electric kettle a tea maker under 8516 71?
Usually not. 8516 71 covers coffee and tea makers that brew. A kettle that only boils water stays in 8516 79.
▸Do electric kettles need BIS certification in India?
Yes. Appliances for heating liquids are under the household electrical appliances Quality Control Order, in force from 1 October 2026 for most manufacturers.
▸Does an electric kettle importer need EPR registration?
Yes. Electric kettles are listed under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, so the importer needs EPR registration with CPCB.
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.