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HS Code for Office Chair in India: Import Duty, BIS and Furniture QCO
By Abhishek Sadashiv · 16 years of experience in global logistics · Updated 5 October 2026 · 5 min read
Usual HS code for office chair (import)
9401 39 00
Swivel seats with height adjustment, not of wood. Most mesh and ergonomic office chairs sit here.
Office chairs became a big import category when work-from-home took off, and they've stayed popular with online sellers and office fit-out contractors. Most come from China, often knocked down in cartons.
The code depends on two simple questions. The bigger change for importers is that office chairs now need BIS.
The usual HS code: 9401 39 00
| Level | Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter | 94 | Furniture, bedding, lamps |
| Heading | 9401 | Seats (other than those of heading 9402) |
| Subheading | 9401 39 | Swivel seats with variable height adjustment, other than of wood |
| Tariff item | 9401 39 00 | Other |
A typical office chair swivels and has a gas lift for height. Heading 9401 splits swivel, height-adjustable seats into wooden (9401 31) and other (9401 39). Mesh, plastic and metal-framed chairs, which is most of them, go to 9401 39 00.
Why not 9403 or 9401 71/79?
Importers sometimes use 9403 ("other furniture") because they think of it as office furniture in general. But 9403 is for desks, cabinets and tables. Anything made to sit on goes to 9401.
The other mix-up is fixed chairs. A visitor chair or conference chair without swivel and height adjustment is not 9401 39. It goes by frame and upholstery: metal-framed upholstered chairs to 9401 71, other metal-framed to 9401 79, and so on. So one fit-out order with task chairs and visitor chairs needs two codes.
Not sure which line your office chair 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 office chair →What decides the final classification
- Swivel and height adjustment: both present points to 9401 31 or 39.
- Frame material: wood (9401 31) vs anything else (9401 39).
- Fixed chairs: classified by frame and upholstery under 9401 61 to 9401 79.
- Gaming and recliner chairs: usually still swivel seats, but reclining and massage functions can complicate things. Check.
- Parts shipped alone: gas lifts, bases and castors imported separately are parts (9401 99), not chairs.
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, plus any other levies that apply to the line, then IGST on the total. Furniture rates change by notification, so check the current rate for 9401 39 00 on the day you file.
Run your exact chair through a lookup, or use the free import duty calculator. For bulky furniture, the landed cost calculator matters even more, because freight per unit can be large.
Compliance checklist for office chairs
| Requirement | Status | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| BIS certification (Furniture QCO) | 🔴 Mandatory | Work chairs are under the Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2025, to IS 17631. The manufacturer needs a BIS licence and the ISI mark on the chair. Visitor chairs fall under a separate standard in the same order. |
| Legal Metrology | 🔴 For retail packs | Importer name and address, MRP, net quantity, month of import and customer care details. |
| Wooden packaging (ISPM 15) | 🟠 Check | If chairs come on wooden pallets or crates, the wood must be treated and marked. |
| Massage or electric features | 🟠 Check | Chairs with electric massage or recline may bring electrical compliance too. |
🔴 Mandatory · 🟠 Check · 🟢 Not required
Mistakes that cost importers money
- Filing chairs under 9403 with desks.
- Putting task chairs and visitor chairs on one line.
- Ordering from a factory without a BIS licence for work chairs. This is now a container-holding problem.
- Ignoring freight cost on bulky, non-knocked-down chairs.
My advice
Ask the supplier for their BIS licence for IS 17631 before you talk price. A cheap chair without a licence is no bargain. And if your order mixes task and visitor chairs, map each to its own code and standard before the shipment leaves.
Get the exact code and duty for your office chair
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 office chair 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 office chair in India?
A swivel office chair with height adjustment and a non-wooden frame is usually classified under 9401 39 00. Wooden swivel chairs go under 9401 31 00.
▸Do office chairs need BIS certification in India?
Yes. Work chairs are covered by the Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2025, to IS 17631. The manufacturer needs a BIS licence and the ISI mark.
▸What is the HS code for a visitor chair without swivel?
Fixed chairs are classified by frame and upholstery, for example 9401 71 00 for upholstered chairs with metal frames.
▸What is the HS code for office chair parts like gas lifts and bases?
Parts of seats imported separately, such as gas lifts, bases and castors, are usually classified under 9401 99.
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.