💧 Home and kitchen
HS Code for Water Purifier in India: Import Duty, BIS and Parts
By Abhishek Sadashiv · 16 years of experience in global logistics · Updated 5 October 2026 · 5 min read
Usual HS code for water purifier (import)
8421 21 20
Household-type filters for purifying water. RO, UV and UF home purifiers usually sit here.
Water purifiers are a huge market in India, and a lot of the hardware (complete units, membranes, pumps, cartridges) comes from China. The finished purifier is not hard to classify. The trouble starts when brands import parts and kits, or a purifier that also heats and chills water.
Here's how I'd think about it.
The usual HS code: 8421 21 20
| Level | Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter | 84 | Machinery and mechanical appliances |
| Heading | 8421 | Filtering or purifying machinery and apparatus for liquids or gases |
| Subheading | 8421 21 | For filtering or purifying water |
| Tariff item | 8421 21 20 | Household type filters |
A home water purifier filters and purifies water, which is exactly what 8421 21 covers. India then splits that subheading, and household type filters is the line for RO, UV and UF purifiers made for kitchens.
Why not 8421 21 90, 8421 99 or 8516?
The most common mix-up I see is using the "other" line, 8421 21 90, for a household unit. That line is for purifying equipment that isn't household type, like larger commercial and industrial plants. A wall-mounted kitchen purifier belongs in 20.
The second is parts. RO membranes, filter cartridges and housings imported alone are usually treated as parts under 8421 99, not as complete purifiers. And a hot-and-cold water dispenser with a filter is a different product again. Depending on what it mainly does, it can move to chillers or heating appliances.
Not sure which line your water purifier 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 water purifier →What decides the final classification
- Household or commercial: a 25 LPH kitchen unit vs a 500 LPH plant for a factory or apartment block.
- Complete unit or parts: membranes, cartridges, pumps and adapters are each classified on their own.
- Extra functions: heating, cooling or dispensing can change the main function.
- Gravity filters without electricity: still filtering water, but check the line for your design.
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 notification, and parts often carry different rates from complete units, so check each line on the day you file.
Run your exact unit (or kit) through a lookup, or use the free import duty calculator. The landed cost calculator helps compare importing complete units against importing parts and assembling here.
Compliance checklist for water purifiers
| Requirement | Status | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| BIS certification | 🟠 Check | Water purifiers don't appear in the household appliances QCO list I've checked, but BIS rules change often. Confirm for your exact product before ordering. |
| Power adapter / SMPS | 🟠 Check | If the purifier ships with an external adapter, that adapter may need its own BIS registration. |
| E-waste EPR | 🟠 Check | Check whether your model falls in Schedule I of the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022. |
| Legal Metrology | 🔴 For retail packs | Importer name and address, MRP, net quantity, month of import and customer care details. |
| Performance claims | 🟠 Check | Claims like "removes 99.9% of bacteria" should be backed by test reports. |
🔴 Mandatory · 🟠 Check · 🟢 Not required
Mistakes that cost importers money
- Filing household units under 8421 21 90.
- Declaring a kit of parts as a complete purifier (or the other way round) to fit a lower rate. Customs looks closely at this.
- Not checking the adapter that comes in the box.
- Mixing membranes, cartridges and units on one line of the bill of entry.
My advice
If you're building a brand, decide early whether you'll import complete units or parts. The code, duty and compliance work out differently for each. Run both scenarios once before you commit to a supplier.
Get the exact code and duty for your water purifier
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 water purifier 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 water purifier in India?
A household RO, UV or UF water purifier is usually classified under 8421 21 20 (household type filters for filtering or purifying water).
▸What is the HS code for RO membranes and filter cartridges?
Imported on their own, membranes and cartridges are usually classified as parts of filtering apparatus under 8421 99, not as complete purifiers.
▸Do water purifiers need BIS certification in India?
Water purifiers don't appear on the current household appliances QCO list, but BIS rules change often. Check for your exact product, and check the power adapter separately.
▸Is a commercial RO plant the same HS code?
Usually not. Large commercial or industrial purifying plants generally go under 8421 21 90 rather than the household line.
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.