⌚ Mobile and electronics
HS Code for Smartwatch in India: 8517 vs Watch Code, BIS and WPC
By Abhishek Sadashiv · 16 years of experience in global logistics · Updated 5 October 2026 · 5 min read
Usual HS code for smartwatch (import)
8517 62 90
Machines for receiving and transmitting data. A smartwatch is treated as a communication device, not a watch.
Smartwatches are one of the clearest examples of a product that looks like one thing and is classified as another. It's on your wrist and it tells the time, so people reach for the watch chapter. Customs sees it differently.
Here's how I'd explain it to someone importing their first batch.
The usual HS code: 8517 62 90
| Level | Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter | 85 | Electrical machinery and equipment |
| Heading | 8517 | Telephone sets and other apparatus for transmission or reception of voice, images or other data |
| Subheading | 8517 62 | Machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data |
| Tariff item | 8517 62 90 | Other |
A smartwatch pairs with your phone, receives notifications, sends health data back and often handles calls over Bluetooth. Its main job is moving data to and from the phone. Telling the time is just one small function. That's why it's treated as a communication device under 8517 62, and Indian customs decisions have taken this view.
Why not 9102 (wrist-watches)?
This is the most common mistake I see with smartwatches. Chapter 91 covers watches whose main purpose is timekeeping. A smartwatch has a display, processor and memory and does many other things, and its principal function is data communication. Declaring it under 9102 can look like an attempt to get a different duty rate, and customs has pushed back on it.
The other split to know: a smartwatch with its own SIM or eSIM that makes calls without a phone is closer to a cellular phone and may go under 8517 13 or 8517 14 instead.
What decides the final classification
- Bluetooth-only (pairs with a phone): usually 8517 62 90.
- Cellular (SIM or eSIM) watches: may be classified as phones under 8517 13 or 8517 14.
- Basic fitness bands: usually treated the same as smartwatches if they sync data with a phone, but check simple step counters separately.
- Kids' GPS watches with SIM: treat as cellular devices.
- Straps and chargers sold separately: have their own codes.
Not sure which line your smartwatch 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 smartwatch →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. Wearables have had specific duty changes in recent Budgets to encourage local assembly, so check the current rate for 8517 62 90 on the day you file.
You can describe your exact watch in a lookup, or put your numbers in the import duty calculator.
Compliance checklist for smartwatches
| Requirement | Status | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| BIS registration (CRS) | 🔴 Mandatory | Smart watches 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 or pack. |
| WPC (ETA) | 🔴 Mandatory | Bluetooth (and any Wi-Fi or cellular radio) needs an Equipment Type Approval for the model. |
| IMEI registration | 🟠 Check | Only for cellular watches with an IMEI. These need registration on the government device portal before import. |
| E-waste EPR | 🟠 Check | Confirm coverage under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 and register with CPCB if covered. |
| Battery Waste Management (EPR) | 🟠 Check | Smartwatches have lithium batteries inside. Check whether you count as a producer under the battery rules. |
| Legal Metrology | 🔴 For retail packs | Importer details, MRP, net quantity and customer care details on the box. |
🔴 Mandatory · 🟠 Check · 🟢 Not required
Mistakes that cost importers money
- Declaring smartwatches under 9102 because they're "watches".
- Treating SIM watches like Bluetooth watches. They bring IMEI and telecom requirements.
- Importing a new model or size that isn't on the factory's BIS registration.
- Leaving out WPC approval because the supplier says the product has "CE".
My advice
With smartwatches, think "phone accessory", not "watch". That one shift gets the code right and reminds you to line up BIS and WPC before the goods ship.
Get the exact code and duty for your smartwatch
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 smartwatch 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 smartwatch in India?
A Bluetooth smartwatch that pairs with a phone is usually classified under 8517 62 90, as a machine for receiving and transmitting data.
▸Can a smartwatch be classified under 9102 as a wrist-watch?
Usually not. Its principal function is data communication, not timekeeping, so it goes under 8517 rather than Chapter 91.
▸Do smartwatches need BIS certification in India?
Yes. Smart watches are under BIS Compulsory Registration (IS 13252 Part 1), and each model must carry the registration number.
▸Is a SIM-enabled smartwatch classified differently?
It can be. A watch that makes cellular calls on its own may be classified as a phone under 8517 13 or 8517 14, and may need IMEI registration.
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.