💾 Mobile and electronics
HS Code for Memory Card and Pen Drive in India: Storage Code and BIS
By Abhishek Sadashiv · 16 years of experience in global logistics · Updated 5 October 2026 · 4 min read
Usual HS code for memory card (import)
8523 51 00
Solid-state non-volatile storage devices. Covers SD and microSD cards and USB pen drives.
Memory cards and pen drives are tiny, high-value-per-kilo items. A single carton can be worth a lot, which makes them a product customs looks at carefully, both for the code and the declared value.
Importers often ask me whether memory cards, pen drives and portable SSDs all share one code. Mostly they do, with a few exceptions worth knowing.
The usual HS code: 8523 51 00
| Level | Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter | 85 | Electrical machinery and equipment |
| Heading | 8523 | Discs, tapes, solid-state non-volatile storage devices, smart cards and other media for recording |
| Subheading | 8523 51 | Semiconductor media: solid-state non-volatile storage devices |
| Tariff item | 8523 51 00 | Solid-state non-volatile storage devices |
SD cards, microSD cards and USB pen drives all store data in flash memory that stays when the power is off, and they all have a connector to plug into another device. That's what "solid-state non-volatile storage device" means in the tariff. So the same code covers a microSD card and a pen drive.
Why not 8542 32 or 8471 70?
The most common mix-up I see is declaring memory cards under 8542 32 (memory chips) because "it's just a flash chip". But a memory card is a finished product with a controller, a casing and a connector, ready to use. Heading 8523 names it directly. Bare chips for assembly are a different matter.
The other one is 8471 70 (storage units for computers). That's for hard drives and storage units of computers. A removable card or pen drive is storage media, not a computer unit. The exception to watch is external SSDs and drives: depending on how they're built, they can fall under 8523 51 or 8471 70, so check those separately.
Not sure which line your memory card 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 memory card →What decides the final code
- Blank or recorded: blank media is the normal case. Cards or drives with software, maps or content loaded may be treated differently, and the content can affect value.
- Card, pen drive or SSD: cards and pen drives are usually 8523 51 00; portable SSDs need a closer look.
- Bare memory chips or wafers: go with integrated circuits, not 8523.
- Card readers and adapters: a reader with electronics is a different product from the card itself.
- Bundles: a card packed with an SD adapter is still classified as the card.
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. IT products often get duty treatment under international agreements and specific notifications, so the rate for 8523 51 00 isn't something to guess. Check it on the day you file.
Because the value per carton is high, small errors in value or code have a big rupee impact. Run your numbers through the import duty calculator.
Compliance checklist for memory cards and pen drives
| Requirement | Status | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| BIS registration (CRS) | 🟠 Check | USB-type external solid-state storage devices above 256 GB are under BIS Compulsory Registration. Standard memory cards and smaller pen drives are not on the list as far as I'm aware, but check your capacity and type. |
| E-waste EPR | 🟠 Check | Confirm whether your product is covered under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022. |
| Legal Metrology | 🔴 For retail packs | Importer details, MRP, net quantity and customer care details on the pack. |
| Brand authenticity | 🟠 Check | Fake branded cards and cards with false capacity are a known problem. Customs can detain goods under IPR rules. |
| WPC approval | 🟢 Not required | No radio in a memory card or plain pen drive. |
🔴 Mandatory · 🟠 Check · 🟢 Not required
Mistakes that cost importers money
- Declaring finished cards as memory chips under 8542.
- Under-valuing high-capacity cards. Customs compares prices across similar imports and can reassess.
- Missing BIS on large external drives above 256 GB.
- Buying "branded" cards from unauthorised sources. Counterfeits get stopped and the money is lost.
My advice
For cards and pen drives, the code is settled. Spend your effort on the value declaration and on buying from authorised sources. And if you add portable SSDs to the range, check those separately before you order.
Get the exact code and duty for your memory card
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 memory card 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 memory card in India?
SD and microSD memory cards are classified under 8523 51 00, solid-state non-volatile storage devices.
▸What is the HS code for a pen drive in India?
USB pen drives also go under 8523 51 00, the same code as memory cards.
▸Do memory cards or pen drives need BIS certification?
USB-type external solid-state storage devices above 256 GB are under BIS Compulsory Registration. Standard memory cards and smaller pen drives are not on the list, but check your product.
▸Is a memory card classified as a memory chip under 8542?
Usually not. A finished memory card with a controller, casing and connector is storage media under 8523, not a bare integrated circuit.
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.