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HS Code for Lithium-ion Battery in India: Import Duty, BIS and EPR
By Abhishek Sadashiv · 16 years of experience in global logistics · Updated 5 October 2026 · 6 min read
Usual HS code for lithium-ion battery (import)
8507 60 00
Lithium-ion accumulators. Covers rechargeable lithium-ion cells and battery packs, whatever they're used in.
Lithium-ion batteries are now in everything: phones, e-bikes, inverters, solar home systems. More importers are bringing them in than ever. The code itself is usually not the hard part. What trips people up is that the same code covers very different products, and the compliance changes depending on where the battery will end up.
Here's how I'd think about it.
The usual HS code: 8507 60 00
| Level | Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter | 85 | Electrical machinery and equipment |
| Heading | 8507 | Electric accumulators (rechargeable batteries) |
| Subheading | 8507 60 | Lithium-ion |
| Tariff item | 8507 60 00 | Lithium-ion accumulators |
A lithium-ion battery stores electrical energy and gives it back. That's heading 8507. Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4), NMC and other lithium-ion chemistries are all lithium-ion for tariff purposes, so they go to 8507 60 00 whether they're single cells or assembled packs with a BMS.
Why not 8506 or 8504?
Two mix-ups come up often:
- 8506 is for primary (non-rechargeable) cells and batteries, like lithium coin cells. If it can't be recharged, it's not 8507.
- 8504 is for converters and chargers. A storage unit with a built-in inverter (a "portable power station" or an all-in-one solar storage unit) may be argued under a different heading because it does more than store energy.
And a battery built into equipment (a laptop, an e-scooter) normally goes with the equipment, not under 8507.
Not sure which line your lithium-ion battery 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 lithium-ion battery →What decides the final classification
- Rechargeable or not: 8507 vs 8506.
- Chemistry: lithium-ion (8507 60) vs lead-acid (8507 10 / 20) vs nickel-metal hydride (8507 50).
- Battery alone or with an inverter: all-in-one units need a closer look.
- Cells imported for assembly in India: still 8507 60, but the duty and incentive picture can differ.
- Parts (BMS boards, casings) shipped separately are classified on their own.
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. Battery duties have been changed several times as India builds local cell manufacturing, and concessional rates can apply to some uses. Check the current rate for 8507 60 00 on the day you file.
Run your exact battery through a lookup, or use the free import duty calculator. For storage projects, the landed cost calculator shows the real cost per kWh.
Compliance checklist for lithium-ion batteries
| Requirement | Status | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| BIS registration (CRS) | 🔴 Mandatory | Portable lithium-ion cells and batteries are under BIS Compulsory Registration (IS 16046). Each model needs registration in the manufacturer's name. |
| BIS for large packs | 🟠 Check | Solar storage, inverter and EV batteries can fall under different Indian standards or orders. Check which applies to your pack. |
| Battery Waste Management (EPR) | 🔴 Mandatory | Under the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022 the importer is a "producer" and needs EPR registration with CPCB before selling. |
| Dangerous goods shipping | 🔴 Mandatory | Lithium-ion batteries are DG cargo (UN 3480, or UN 3481 when packed with or in equipment). You need the MSDS and UN 38.3 test report for sea and air. |
| Legal Metrology | 🟠 Check | Needed for retail packs sold to consumers; usually not for bulk industrial supply. |
🔴 Mandatory · 🟠 Check · 🟢 Not required
Mistakes that cost importers money
- Assuming CRS for small cells covers a big storage pack. It often doesn't.
- Forgetting EPR until a buyer or marketplace asks for the certificate.
- Shipping without DG documents, and having the booking refused at the port or airline.
- Declaring an all-in-one storage unit as a plain battery without checking.
My advice
With lithium-ion, start by being clear what you're importing: cells, a pack, or a storage system with electronics. That decides the BIS route and sometimes the code. Get the UN 38.3 report and MSDS from the factory before you book freight, and check your exact battery before the order is final.
Get the exact code and duty for your lithium-ion battery
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 lithium-ion battery 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 lithium-ion batteries in India?
Rechargeable lithium-ion cells and battery packs, including LiFePO4, are usually classified under 8507 60 00 (lithium-ion accumulators).
▸Do imported lithium-ion batteries need BIS certification?
Portable lithium-ion cells and batteries are under BIS Compulsory Registration (IS 16046). Larger packs for solar storage or EVs may fall under other standards, so check your exact battery.
▸Does a lithium battery importer need EPR registration?
Yes. Under the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022 the importer is treated as a producer and needs EPR registration with CPCB.
▸Is a LiFePO4 battery classified differently from lithium-ion?
No. LiFePO4 is a lithium-ion chemistry, so it is classified under 8507 60 00 like other lithium-ion batteries.
Related HS codes
☀️ Full guide: Importing Solar Panels and Inverters into India: HS Codes, Duty, BIS and ALMM →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.