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HS Code for Electrical Switches in India: Import Duty, ISI Mark and QCO
By Abhishek Sadashiv · 16 years of experience in global logistics · Updated 5 October 2026 · 5 min read
Usual HS code for electrical switches (import)
8536 50 90
Switches for up to 1,000 V, other. Covers the everyday wall and modular switches used in homes and offices.
Modular switches have become a design product. Builders and homeowners want glass plates, touch panels and matte finishes, and a lot of that comes from China and Turkey. But switches are also one of the oldest products under mandatory BIS in India, and that's where most importers get caught.
Here's how I'd look at the code and the compliance.
The usual HS code: 8536 50 90
| Level | Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter | 85 | Electrical machinery and equipment |
| Heading | 8536 | Electrical apparatus for switching, protecting or connecting circuits, up to 1,000 V |
| Subheading | 8536 50 | Other switches |
| Tariff item | 8536 50 90 | Other |
A household wall switch makes and breaks a low-voltage circuit. That's squarely heading 8536, and the switches subheading 8536 50. The specific lines within 8536 50 cover a few named types; ordinary domestic and modular switches usually go to the residual 8536 50 90.
Why not 8537 (switchboards)?
Importers often ask me whether a complete switch plate, with four switches and a socket on one frame, should go under 8537 as a "board". Generally, a single modular plate assembly is still treated as switches and sockets. Heading 8537 is for boards and panels built for control or distribution, like distribution boards and control panels.
The other mix-up is parts. Plates, frames and cover plates shipped on their own aren't switches; they may go under 8538 (parts) or by material.
Not sure which line your electrical switches 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 electrical switches →What decides the final classification
- Ordinary toggle or rocker switches: usually 8536 50 90.
- Touch or smart switches with electronics, Wi-Fi or Zigbee: may raise classification questions and need WPC.
- Dimmers and fan regulators are not simple switches; check them separately.
- Plates and frames alone go under parts or by material, not as switches.
- Industrial switches for higher currents or special uses can fall under other 8536 lines.
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 under 8536 have been changed through Budget notifications, and FTA origin can make a difference. Check the current rate for 8536 50 90 on the day you file.
Use a lookup for your exact switch range, or the free import duty calculator.
Compliance checklist for electrical switches
| Requirement | Status | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| BIS licence (ISI mark) under QCO | 🔴 Mandatory | Switches for domestic and similar fixed installations (IS 3854) are under a BIS Quality Control Order. The factory needs a BIS licence and the ISI mark must be on the product. Customs checks this. |
| Sockets in the same range | 🔴 Mandatory | Socket-outlets (IS 1293) are also under a QCO. If your range includes sockets, they need their own coverage. |
| Legal Metrology | 🔴 For retail packs | Importer name and address, MRP, net quantity and customer care details on retail packs. |
| WPC approval | 🟠 Check | Only for smart switches with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or Zigbee. |
| E-waste EPR | 🟠 Check | Check whether smart switches with electronics are covered under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022. |
🔴 Mandatory · 🟠 Check · 🟢 Not required
Mistakes that cost importers money
- Buying from a good-looking factory without a BIS licence. A QCO licence for a foreign factory takes months and involves an inspection.
- Assuming the licence covers every rating (6A, 16A, two-way, bell push). Check each one.
- Declaring plates and switches on one line when they're packed and invoiced separately.
- Treating dimmers and regulators as plain switches.
My advice
With switches, start from BIS, not from price. Ask the factory for its BIS licence number, check it on the BIS portal, and confirm every item in your range is covered. Then check your exact switch type's code before you place the order.
Get the exact code and duty for your electrical switches
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 electrical switches 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 electrical switches in India?
Ordinary domestic and modular switches are usually classified under 8536 50 90 (other switches for a voltage not exceeding 1,000 V).
▸Do imported electrical switches need the ISI mark?
Yes. Switches for domestic and similar installations are under a BIS Quality Control Order. The manufacturer needs a BIS licence and the product must carry the ISI mark.
▸What is the HS code for switch plates and frames?
Plates and frames imported on their own are not switches. They are usually classified as parts or by their material, not under 8536 50.
▸Do smart switches need WPC approval?
If they have Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or Zigbee radios, yes. WPC compliance is needed on top of the BIS requirement.
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.