Recently, the government of India has made BIS certificate mandatory for certain items including LED lights and few electronic goods for custom clearance for goods imported from China or other countries. This has a wider implication on future imports to India after 6th May 2015.
What is BIS certificate?
BIS Logo
The product certificate scheme of BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) provides quality assurance certification and use of ISI marks to producers who confirms to the quality standards mandated by BIS
The BIS Product Certification Scheme is open to manufacturers in all countries without discrimination. Any business entity foreign or Indian are free to apply for a BIS certificate by following their certification and licensing guidelines as follows
The BIS Product Certification Scheme is open to manufacturers in all countries without discrimination. Any business entity foreign or Indian are free to apply for a BIS certificate by following their certification and licensing guidelines as follows
- Indian manufacturer can apply for grant of BIS license under the simplified scheme by furnishing test reports of samples tested by the approved laboratories followed by a field visit by BIS staff to the applicant’s factory. The license is granted within 30 days once field visit and test reports are found satisfactory and meeting BIS standards
- Indian Importers are treated at par with Indian manufacturers provided they maintain a fully equipped laboratory to conduct tests confirming to BIS standards.
- Procedure for granting BIS license to a foreign manufacturer is little more complicated and full process can be viewed by clicking this link
Sample of BIS certificate
Do I need a BIS certificate for importing from China?
BIS certificate is not country dependent and it is not needed for all products. Items for import under mandatory BIS certificate are notified by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) vide their notification that can be viewed here.
Currently food products, wire & cables, cement, electrical household appliances, dry cell batteries, steel tubes, medical equipments, automobile tires and few electronic products are covered. LED lights (self ballasted type) for general purpose lighting and fixed LED fixtures are included in the mandatory list with effect from 6th May 2015.
Currently food products, wire & cables, cement, electrical household appliances, dry cell batteries, steel tubes, medical equipments, automobile tires and few electronic products are covered. LED lights (self ballasted type) for general purpose lighting and fixed LED fixtures are included in the mandatory list with effect from 6th May 2015.
How to custom clear goods falling under mandatory BIS certificate?
In addition to normal customs clearing process all shipments requiring BIS certificate should have a “self-declaration” printed on each specific commodity itself and external product package. A valid self-declaration must have the registration number of the product and IS (Indian Standard) number allotted.
The failure of proper compliance of BIS registration processes will result in Customs clearance delays into India.
The failure of proper compliance of BIS registration processes will result in Customs clearance delays into India.
I am planning to import LED lights from China. What process needs to be followed for compliance with BIS while importing from China?
Most of Chinese factories are aware of European or American product standards. Those holding such certificates would be capable of getting BIS certificates using agent in India. A guideline for application is here. If you cannot find a supplier who is willing to apply for BIS certificate, then it is importer’s responsibility to apply for BIS certificate. Currently BIS certificate is mandatory for following LED lighting products
- Self-ballasted LED lamps for general lighting services
- Fixed general purpose LED luminaries
What other documents are needed for custom clearing of LED lamp imported from China?
There are no anti dumping duties or other special licensing requirement for import of LED lights from China. In addition to meeting BIS certification compliance, an importer has to file a Bill of Entry (BE) along with the following documents
Price list, product catalogs and copy of purchase order or contract may be required by the customs department, but it is not mandatory to submit these initially while applying for import clearance. Visit this link for custom duty and import process for goods imported from China to India.
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing Lis
- Insurance cover note
- Bill of Lading / AWB
- Country of Origin certificate
Price list, product catalogs and copy of purchase order or contract may be required by the customs department, but it is not mandatory to submit these initially while applying for import clearance. Visit this link for custom duty and import process for goods imported from China to India.
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