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HS Code for Stainless Steel Cookware in India: Duty, BIS and Pressure Cookers
By Abhishek Sadashiv · 16 years of experience in global logistics · Updated 5 October 2026 · 5 min read
Usual HS code for stainless steel cookware (import)
7323 93 90
Stainless steel table, kitchen and household articles, other than pressure cookers. Pots, pans, kadais and tiffins usually sit here.
Stainless steel cookware looks like the easiest product to import. No electricity, no batteries, no wireless. But it has its own traps: the material decides the code, pressure cookers are a separate line, and the BIS position has changed more than once.
Here's how I'd approach it.
The usual HS code: 7323 93 90
| Level | Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter | 73 | Articles of iron or steel |
| Heading | 7323 | Table, kitchen or other household articles of iron or steel |
| Subheading | 7323 93 | Of stainless steel |
| Tariff item | 7323 93 90 | Other |
Cookware is a household article made of steel, so it goes to Chapter 73 by material, not by what it's used for. Within 7323, stainless steel has its own subheading. India then pulls pressure cookers out into their own line (10), and everything else goes to other (90).
Why not 7323 93 10, 7615 or 8516?
The most common mix-up I see is pressure cookers. If your set includes a stainless steel pressure cooker, it goes on its own line under 7323 93 10, not with the pans. It also has its own BIS requirement.
The second is material. Aluminium cookware goes to 7615, and enamelled steel to 7323 94. A "stainless steel" pan with an aluminium core (tri-ply) is still usually classified as stainless steel, because that's what the cooking and outer surfaces are. Non-stick coated stainless pans also usually stay in 7323 93.
And electric cookware (rice cookers, electric pans) is not in Chapter 73 at all. It goes to 8516.
Not sure which line your stainless steel cookware 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 stainless steel cookware →What decides the final classification
- Base material: stainless steel (7323 93), aluminium (7615), enamelled steel (7323 94), cast iron (7323 91/92).
- Pressure cooker or not: pressure cookers go to 7323 93 10.
- Electric heating: any built-in heating element moves it to 8516.
- Cutlery: spoons, ladles and knives sold alone are mostly Chapter 82 (8215 and 8211), not 7323.
- Mixed sets: a gift set with cookware and cutlery may need to be split or classified as a set. Check it.
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. GST and duty rates for utensils have changed recently, so check the current rate for your exact line on the day you file.
Run your set through a lookup, or use the free import duty calculator.
Compliance checklist for stainless steel cookware
| Requirement | Status | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| BIS for stainless steel utensils | 🟠 Check | Stainless steel utensils (IS 14756) were brought under a 2025 QCO, but the 2026 cookware order appears to have dropped them while keeping aluminium utensils. Confirm the current position before ordering. |
| BIS for pressure cookers | 🔴 Mandatory | Pressure cookers have their own long-standing BIS QCO. The manufacturer needs a BIS licence and the ISI mark. |
| BIS for aluminium utensils | 🟠 Check | Only if your set includes aluminium pieces. These are under the cookware QCO. |
| Legal Metrology | 🔴 For retail packs | Importer name and address, MRP, net quantity, month of import and customer care details. |
| Food-grade test reports | 🟠 Check | Marketplaces and retail chains may ask for steel grade (304, 316 etc.) and food-contact test reports. |
🔴 Mandatory · 🟠 Check · 🟢 Not required
Mistakes that cost importers money
- Putting a pressure cooker on the same line as pans.
- Declaring aluminium or coated pieces as stainless steel to keep one code.
- Relying on an old BIS article. The QCO position for utensils has changed. Check the current one.
- Calling 201-grade steel "304" on the invoice. Buyers test, and so can customs.
My advice
Cookware is about trust: the steel grade, the weight, the finish. Your paperwork should match the product exactly. Before you order, list every piece in the set with its material, and check that list once against the code and BIS position.
Get the exact code and duty for your stainless steel cookware
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 stainless steel cookware 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 stainless steel cookware in India?
Stainless steel pots, pans and kitchen utensils are usually classified under 7323 93 90. Stainless steel pressure cookers have their own line, 7323 93 10.
▸What is the HS code for a stainless steel pressure cooker?
Stainless steel pressure cookers go under 7323 93 10, separate from other stainless steel cookware.
▸Do stainless steel utensils need BIS certification?
The position has changed. A 2025 order covered stainless steel utensils, but the 2026 cookware order appears to cover aluminium utensils and not stainless steel. Pressure cookers need BIS regardless. Check the current QCO before importing.
▸Is aluminium cookware the same HS code as stainless steel?
No. Aluminium cookware is classified under heading 7615, not 7323.
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.