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HS Code for Vacuum Cleaner in India: Import Duty, BIS and EPR
By Abhishek Sadashiv · 16 years of experience in global logistics · Updated 5 October 2026 · 5 min read
Usual HS code for vacuum cleaner (import)
8508 11 00
Vacuum cleaners with a built-in motor, up to 1500 W and a dust container up to 20 litres. Covers most home and robot vacuums.
Vacuum cleaners have become a big import category, especially robot vacuums and cordless stick models sold online. The heading is clear, but the subheading depends on two numbers most people never look at: wattage and dust capacity.
Here's how I'd work it out.
The usual HS code: 8508 11 00
| Level | Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter | 85 | Electrical machinery and equipment |
| Heading | 8508 | Vacuum cleaners |
| Subheading | 8508 11 | With self-contained motor, up to 1500 W and dust bag or receptacle up to 20 litres |
| Tariff item | 8508 11 00 | Vacuum cleaners of that size |
A vacuum cleaner has its own heading, 8508. Within it, the split is by power and dust capacity. Most home vacuums (handheld, cordless stick, canister and robot) are well under 1500 W with a small bin, so they land in 8508 11 00.
Why not 8509 or 8508 19?
Older invoices and some suppliers still use 8509, because vacuum cleaners used to sit with domestic appliances there. They moved to their own heading, 8508, years ago. If your supplier's paperwork says 8509 for a vacuum, correct it.
The other common miss is 8508 19 00. Larger wet-and-dry drum vacuums, the kind used in workshops and car washes, can cross 1500 W or 20 litres. Then 8508 11 no longer fits. And 8508 60 00 is for vacuum cleaners without a self-contained motor, such as central vacuum systems.
Not sure which line your vacuum cleaner 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 vacuum cleaner →What decides the final classification
- Rated power: above 1500 W moves it out of 8508 11.
- Dust bag or bin capacity: above 20 litres also moves it out.
- Motor in the unit or not: a central system without its own motor goes to 8508 60.
- Mops and floor polishers: a steam mop or floor polisher without suction is not a vacuum cleaner. Check it separately.
- Wi-Fi or Bluetooth: robot vacuums with app control don't change code, but they bring WPC checks.
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. Rates change by Budget notification, so check the current rate for your tariff item on the day you file.
Run your exact model through a lookup, or try the free import duty calculator.
Compliance checklist for vacuum cleaners
| Requirement | Status | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| BIS certification (QCO) | 🔴 Mandatory | Vacuum cleaners, including battery-operated ones, are under the Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances QCO, in force from 1 October 2026 for most manufacturers. The manufacturer needs a BIS licence and the ISI mark. |
| E-waste EPR | 🔴 Mandatory | Vacuum cleaners are in Schedule I of the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022. The importer needs EPR registration with CPCB. |
| WPC approval | 🟠 Check | For robot or smart vacuums with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. |
| Battery rules | 🟠 Check | Cordless and robot models carry lithium batteries: battery EPR, and DG paperwork for air freight. |
| Legal Metrology | 🔴 For retail packs | Importer name and address, MRP, net quantity, month of import and customer care details. |
🔴 Mandatory · 🟠 Check · 🟢 Not required
Mistakes that cost importers money
- Copying 8509 from an old supplier invoice.
- Not checking wattage and bin size on wet-and-dry models.
- Forgetting WPC for a robot vacuum with app control.
- Air-freighting cordless models without battery DG documents.
My advice
Ask your supplier for the rated wattage and dust capacity in writing, along with the BIS licence number. Those three facts decide most of this page. If your vacuum has Wi-Fi, a battery or a mop function, check it before you order.
Get the exact code and duty for your vacuum cleaner
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 vacuum cleaner 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 vacuum cleaner in India?
Most household vacuum cleaners, including robot and cordless models, go under 8508 11 00: built-in motor, up to 1500 W, dust container up to 20 litres.
▸What is the HS code for a robot vacuum cleaner?
A robot vacuum is usually classified under 8508 11 00, since it has its own motor, low wattage and a small dust bin.
▸Do vacuum cleaners need BIS certification in India?
Yes. Vacuum cleaners, including battery-operated ones, are under the household electrical appliances Quality Control Order, in force from 1 October 2026 for most manufacturers.
▸Is a wet and dry vacuum cleaner a different HS code?
It can be. If it is above 1500 W or has a container over 20 litres, it moves to 8508 19 00 instead of 8508 11 00.
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.