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HS Code for Solar Inverter in India: Import Duty, BIS and Compliance
By Abhishek Sadashiv · 16 years of experience in global logistics · Updated 5 October 2026 · 5 min read
Usual HS code for solar inverter (import)
8504 40 10
Static converters: electric inverter. A solar inverter converts DC from panels into AC, so it's an inverter first.
With rooftop solar growing so fast, solar inverters have become a big import product for EPC companies and distributors. Importers often assume everything in a solar kit takes the same code as the panels. It doesn't, and the inverter is where that assumption causes the most trouble.
Here's how I'd look at it.
The usual HS code: 8504 40 10
| 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 10 | Electric inverter |
A solar inverter takes DC from the panels and turns it into AC for the home or the grid. That's a static converter, heading 8504, and India has a specific line for electric inverters, 8504 40 10. On-grid, off-grid and hybrid inverters all start from here.
Why not 8541 (solar panels)?
This is the most common mix-up I see. 8541 43 (photovoltaic modules) and 8541 42 (cells) are for the panels that generate electricity. The inverter doesn't generate anything; it converts. Putting the inverter on the same line as the panels in a kit shipment is a mistake customs will pick up.
The other confusion is with 8504 40 90 (other static converters). Charge controllers, UPS units and plain power supplies often sit there. A true inverter belongs on the inverter line.
Not sure which line your solar inverter 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 solar inverter →What decides the final classification
- True inverter (DC to AC): 8504 40 10.
- Hybrid inverter with built-in battery: may be argued differently; check it.
- Microinverters mounted on each panel are still inverters.
- Charge controllers and DC-DC converters without AC output usually go elsewhere.
- Complete solar kits (panels, inverter, structure) shipped together may raise questions about classifying each item 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. Solar equipment duties have moved several times in recent Budgets to support local manufacturing, and GST on renewable energy devices has its own rules. Check the current rate for 8504 40 10 on the day you file.
Run your exact inverter through a lookup, or use the free import duty calculator. For project pricing, the landed cost calculator helps.
Compliance checklist for solar inverters
| Requirement | Status | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| BIS registration (CRS) | 🔴 Mandatory | Power converters for PV systems are under BIS Compulsory Registration (IS 16221 Parts 1 and 2). Grid-tied inverters also need anti-islanding compliance (IS 16169). Each model needs registration. |
| ALMM | 🟢 Not required | ALMM lists apply to solar modules and cells, not inverters. Confirm this hasn't changed for your project. |
| WPC approval | 🟠 Check | Inverters with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth monitoring dongles need WPC compliance. |
| Subsidy and DISCOM rules | 🟠 Check | Rooftop schemes and DISCOMs may require specific approvals or lists of inverters. Check if you supply to subsidised projects. |
| E-waste EPR | 🟠 Check | Check whether inverters are covered under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022. |
🔴 Mandatory · 🟠 Check · 🟢 Not required
Mistakes that cost importers money
- Putting the inverter on the panel's line in a kit shipment.
- Importing a new kW rating that isn't on the factory's BIS registration.
- Forgetting the Wi-Fi dongle needs WPC.
- Quoting a project price using last year's duty rate.
My advice
Treat the inverter as its own product, with its own code and its own BIS registration, even when it ships with panels. Check the factory's registration for every rating you plan to sell, and check your exact model before you lock prices with the client.
Get the exact code and duty for your solar inverter
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 inverter 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 inverter in India?
Solar inverters are usually classified under 8504 40 10 (static converters: electric inverter), because they convert DC from the panels into AC.
▸Does a solar inverter take the same HS code as solar panels?
No. Panels go under 8541 43 as photovoltaic modules. The inverter is a static converter under 8504 and must be declared on its own line.
▸Do imported solar inverters need BIS registration?
Yes. Power converters for PV systems are under BIS Compulsory Registration (IS 16221). Grid-tied inverters also need anti-islanding compliance under IS 16169.
▸Does ALMM apply to solar inverters?
ALMM applies to solar modules and cells, not inverters. Confirm current rules if you are supplying to government-supported projects.
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.