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HS Code for Solar Charge Controller in India: 8504 vs 9032, Duty and BIS
By Abhishek Sadashiv · 16 years of experience in global logistics · Updated 5 October 2026 · 5 min read
Usual HS code for solar charge controller (import)
8504 40 90
Static converters, other. MPPT controllers convert DC to DC; simple PWM controllers are sometimes classified as regulators under 9032.
Solar charge controllers are small, cheap and often tossed into a container alongside panels and batteries. Because they're low value, importers rarely think about the code. But this is a product where Indian import data shows two different headings being used, and the right one depends on how the controller actually works.
Here's how I'd sort it out.
The usual HS code: 8504 40 90
| Level | Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter | 85 | Electrical machinery and equipment |
| Heading | 8504 | Transformers, static converters and inductors |
| Subheading | 8504 40 | Static converters |
| Tariff item | 8504 40 90 | Other |
An MPPT charge controller takes the panel's higher DC voltage and converts it down to the battery's charging voltage, tracking the best power point as it goes. That's DC-to-DC conversion, which makes it a static converter. Since it doesn't produce AC, it isn't an "electric inverter" (8504 40 10), so it goes to the residual line, 8504 40 90. This is the line most often used in Indian practice for these controllers.
Why not 9032 89 (regulators)?
This is the real debate. Heading 9032 covers automatic regulating and controlling instruments. A simple PWM controller doesn't really convert voltage; it switches the panel connection on and off to keep the battery from overcharging. That looks more like a regulator, and some importers declare PWM controllers under 9032 89.
The point is: MPPT and PWM controllers are different devices, and they may not belong on the same line. If you import both, check each one rather than putting one code across the invoice.
Not sure which line your solar charge controller falls under?
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Check my solar charge controller →What decides the final classification
- MPPT (DC-DC conversion): strongest case for 8504 40 90.
- PWM (switching regulation only): may be argued under 9032 89.
- Controller built into an inverter (hybrid inverter): goes with the inverter, usually 8504 40 10.
- Controller with AC output or a load inverter: check it as an inverter.
- Solar street-light controllers and pump controllers are different products; check them separately.
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. Chapter 85 and chapter 90 lines don't always carry the same rates, and solar equipment has its own GST treatment, so the code choice can change your cost. Check the current rate for your line on the day you file.
Run your exact controller through a lookup, or use the free import duty calculator.
Compliance checklist for solar charge controllers
| Requirement | Status | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| BIS registration (CRS) | 🟠 Check | Power converters for PV systems are under BIS Compulsory Registration (IS 16221). Whether a stand-alone charge controller falls within that entry depends on its design. Confirm before importing. |
| ALMM | 🟢 Not required | ALMM applies to solar modules and cells, not charge controllers. |
| WPC approval | 🟠 Check | Only for controllers with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth monitoring. |
| Legal Metrology | 🟠 Check | Needed if you sell packed units to consumers at retail. |
| E-waste EPR | 🟠 Check | Check whether your controller is covered under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022. |
🔴 Mandatory · 🟠 Check · 🟢 Not required
Mistakes that cost importers money
- One code for MPPT and PWM controllers on the same invoice.
- Declaring controllers as inverters when they have no AC output.
- Assuming a low-value item doesn't need BIS without checking.
- Forgetting Bluetooth or Wi-Fi models need WPC.
My advice
Know whether you're importing MPPT or PWM controllers, and keep them on separate lines if you're bringing both. Agree the code with your CHA before the first shipment, and check the BIS position for your exact model. A small product, but you don't want it holding up the panels and batteries in the same container.
Get the exact code and duty for your solar charge controller
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 solar charge controller 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 solar charge controller in India?
MPPT solar charge controllers are often classified under 8504 40 90 (static converters, other). Simple PWM controllers are sometimes declared under 9032 89 as regulating instruments.
▸Is a solar charge controller classified as an inverter?
Usually not. A charge controller converts DC to DC and has no AC output, so it doesn't go on the electric inverter line 8504 40 10.
▸Do solar charge controllers need BIS registration?
Power converters for PV systems are under BIS Compulsory Registration (IS 16221). Whether your stand-alone controller is covered depends on its design, so confirm before importing.
▸Does ALMM apply to solar charge controllers?
No. ALMM applies to solar modules and cells, not to charge controllers.
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.