📱 Mobile and electronics
HS Code for Mobile Phone in India: Smartphone Code, IMEI and BIS
By Abhishek Sadashiv · 16 years of experience in global logistics · Updated 5 October 2026 · 5 min read
Usual HS code for mobile phone (import)
8517 13 00
Smartphones. Since the 2022 HS changes, smartphones have their own subheading, separate from basic phones.
Mobile phones are probably the most watched product at Indian customs. The code itself is not hard, but the paperwork around it is heavy: BIS, IMEI registration, wireless approvals and e-waste rules all apply before a single phone can be sold.
Importers often ask me whether a phone is "just electronics". It isn't. Treat it as a regulated product from day one and you'll save yourself a lot of waiting at the port.
The usual HS code: 8517 13 00
| Level | Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter | 85 | Electrical machinery and equipment |
| Heading | 8517 | Telephone sets, including smartphones and other telephones for cellular networks |
| Subheading | 8517 13 | Smartphones |
| Tariff item | 8517 13 00 | Smartphones |
A smartphone is a telephone for cellular networks first. Cameras, apps and storage don't move it out of 8517, because calling over a mobile network is what the heading is built around. From the 2022 version of the HS, smartphones were given their own subheading, 8517 13.
Why not 8517 12?
This is the most common mistake I still see on supplier invoices. Before 2022, all mobile phones went under 8517 12. Many suppliers and old software templates still print that code. Today 8517 12 is no longer the right line for smartphones. A Bill of Entry with an outdated code can lead to queries and delays, even when the duty works out the same.
The other split to know is 8517 14, for "other telephones for cellular networks", which is where basic feature phones go. If you're importing keypad phones, don't use the smartphone code.
What decides the final classification
- Smartphone or feature phone: a full operating system and apps points to 8517 13; a basic keypad phone points to 8517 14.
- Complete phone or parts: display assemblies, back covers, batteries and PCBAs imported for assembly or repair have their own lines and their own duty treatment.
- New or used: refurbished and second-hand phones are a different question altogether, with extra permissions. Don't treat them like new stock.
- Satellite phones and rugged devices can raise separate licensing questions.
Not sure which line your mobile phone 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 mobile phone →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. Mobile phone duty has been changed many times in Budgets to support local manufacturing, and phones, chargers and parts often move separately. Always check the current rate on the day you file.
If you want to see the full rupee figure for your phone, run your exact model through a lookup, or use the import duty calculator and the landed cost calculator.
Compliance checklist for mobile phones
| Requirement | Status | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| BIS registration (CRS) | 🔴 Mandatory | Mobile phones are under BIS Compulsory Registration (IS 13252 Part 1). Each model needs a registration in the manufacturer's name, with the R-number on the product. |
| IMEI registration | 🔴 Mandatory | Every IMEI must be registered on the government's device portal (ICDR) before import. Customs asks for the IMEI certificate. |
| WPC (ETA) | 🔴 Mandatory | Phones use Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, so an Equipment Type Approval is needed for the model. |
| TEC (MTCTE) | 🟠 Check | Telecom equipment may need TEC certification under MTCTE. Confirm the current status for your device category. |
| E-waste EPR | 🔴 Mandatory | The importer is a "producer" under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 and needs EPR registration with CPCB. |
| Legal Metrology | 🔴 For retail packs | Importer details, MRP, net quantity and customer care details on the box. |
| Used or refurbished phones | 🟠 Check | Second-hand electronics need separate permissions. Check before you buy. |
🔴 Mandatory · 🟠 Check · 🟢 Not required
Mistakes that cost importers money
- Using 8517 12 because the supplier did.
- Shipping before IMEI registration is done, then waiting at the port while the certificate is sorted.
- Assuming the brand's BIS registration covers a new variant. A new model number usually needs its own registration.
- Mixing phones and accessories on one invoice line. Chargers, cables and cases have their own codes and duty.
My advice
With phones, the code is the easy part. The real work is lining up BIS, IMEI and WPC before the goods leave the factory. Get those in hand first, then book the shipment.
Get the exact code and duty for your mobile phone
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 mobile phone 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 mobile phone in India?
Smartphones are classified under 8517 13 00. Basic feature phones for cellular networks go under 8517 14.
▸Is 8517 12 still the HS code for mobile phones?
Not for smartphones. Since the 2022 HS changes, smartphones have their own subheading, 8517 13. Older invoices and templates still show 8517 12.
▸Do imported mobile phones need BIS certification?
Yes. Mobile phones are under BIS Compulsory Registration. Each model must be registered and carry the BIS registration number.
▸Is IMEI registration needed to import mobile phones?
Yes. IMEI numbers must be registered on the government's device registration portal before import, and customs asks for the certificate.
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.