Import compliance FAQ for India: 40 short answers on BIS, EPR, Legal Metrology, WPC, BEE, QCOs, customs and costs

Find your topic below, read the two-to-four-sentence answer, then follow the link to the full guide. Every number is cited to an official source or clearly marked as reported.

The questions are grouped the way importers ask them: BIS first, then EPR, Legal Metrology, WPC and TEC, BEE, Quality Control Orders, customs, costs, marketplaces and finally how to use Comploa. If your question is about one product, start with the approval checker or the product guides; if it is about one source country, start with importing by country. For a list of terms used here, see the glossary.

Who applies for BIS CRS registration, the importer or the factory?

The factory. CRS registration is granted to the manufacturer for each manufacturing unit, not to an importer or trader^[1]. A foreign factory must nominate an Authorised Indian Representative on Form IV^[11], which can be the Indian brand owner. Full details: BIS CRS and authorised Indian representative.

What is the difference between CRS, the ISI mark and FMCS?

CRS (Scheme-II) covers notified electronics and IT goods and rests on the manufacturer's self-declaration backed by lab tests^[1]. The ISI mark (Scheme-I) involves a BIS factory assessment before grant^[12]. FMCS is how foreign factories get an ISI licence; it covers all products except MeitY's electronics, which go through CRS^[13]. Compare them in CRS vs ISI vs FMCS.

How long does BIS CRS registration take?

BIS aims to grant within 20 working days when documents and the product are right first time^[11]. If there is a query, it gives at least 30 days to answer^[11]. Testing time comes on top. See how long BIS registration takes.

How long is a BIS CRS licence valid?

After the 25 February 2026 amendment, a CRS licence is granted for up to five years and renewed for up to five more, with fees paid annually in advance^[3]. Apply for renewal three months before expiry^[14]. See CRS renewal.

How do I check a supplier's BIS licence?

Search the R-number on crsbis.in's List of Registered Manufacturers, which shows the manufacturer, country, IS number, status, validity and brand scope^[15]. For ISI licences, the BIS Care app fetches details from a CM/L number^[16]. Step by step: how to verify a BIS licence.

Can the BIS test be done at a lab abroad?

CRS accepts reports only from labs BIS has established, maintained or recognised for the product, plus government labs it has empanelled^[11]. On 1 November 2026, all 68 lab entries listed for IS 13252 (Part 1) were in India^[17]. See CRS test labs and BIS labs.

Does an importer need EPR registration?

Usually yes. Anyone offering imported electrical and electronic equipment for sale is an e-waste producer^[18], anyone importing batteries or equipment containing them is a battery producer^[19], and importers of goods in plastic packaging are covered by plastic EPR^[20]. Start with EPR for small importers.

Do I need battery EPR before the goods arrive?

Yes. CPCB says importers of batteries and equipment containing batteries must register before importing^[4]. CPCB has also asked Customs to verify registration certificates at clearance^[21]. See battery EPR.

What does e-waste EPR registration cost?

CPCB's fee depends on your annual recycling target, from Rs 2,500 under 50 MT to Rs 15,00,000 above 5,000 MT, or Rs 10,000 if your sales have just started^[22]. There is also a Rs 5,000 annual maintenance charge^[22]. See EPR registration costs.

How do importers meet EPR targets?

By buying EPR certificates from registered recyclers and reporting them in returns; the liability stays with you even if you use a PRO^[18]. Targets are on our e-waste targets and battery targets pages.

What happens if I miss EPR returns or targets?

Environmental compensation applies. For e-waste violations other than a target shortfall, producers pay Rs 20,000 for a first default, Rs 40,000 for a second and Rs 80,000 for a third^[23]. See environmental compensation and EPR annual returns.

Who needs Legal Metrology (LMPC) registration?

Every person or company that imports any commodity for sale, distribution or delivery must register its name and address^[5]. The fee is Rs 500^[5]. See LMPC registration.

When must I apply for LMPC registration?

Within 90 days of starting to import^[5]. From 29 May 2026 the certificate stays valid until cancelled^[24], but companies must update details online each year^[24]. See LMPC importer registration.

What must be printed on an imported retail pack?

The importer's name and address, country of origin, generic name, net quantity, month and year of manufacture, MRP, unit sale price and consumer care details, among others^[25]. See LMPC label rules and the product label checklist.

Can Legal Metrology labels be added in India after import?

Yes, at AEO Tier-2 or Tier-3 bonded warehouses, as long as every retail pack carries all declarations before leaving^[24]. Stickers that change mandatory declarations are otherwise not allowed, except a reduced-MRP sticker^[5].

Which products need a WPC ETA?

Wireless devices operating in de-licensed bands or involving RF transmission need an Equipment Type Approval^[6]. The self-declaration route covers phones, laptops, smart watches, speakers, earphones and other short-range devices^[6]. See WPC ETA.

How much does a WPC ETA cost and how long does it last?

Rs 10,000 per model, paid through Bharat Kosh^[6], and it is valid for the model's lifetime unless revoked^[6]. The certificate is downloaded on submission of the self-declaration^[26]. See WPC ETA costs.

What is the difference between WPC ETA and TEC MTCTE?

ETA covers radio-frequency use; MTCTE is telecom equipment certification for notified products such as Wi-Fi access points, mandatory since 1 January 2024^[27]. Mobile handsets are exempt from MTCTE^[28]. See WPC ETA vs MTCTE.

How much does MTCTE certification cost?

The administrative fee is Rs 10,000, Rs 20,000, Rs 30,000 or Rs 50,000 depending on the product group^[7]. A regular certificate is normally valid for ten years^[7]. See MTCTE fees and MTCTE products.

Which imported appliances need a BEE star label?

Schedule A of the 2026 Regulations makes it mandatory for refrigerators, room ACs, ceiling fans, storage water heaters, TVs, washing machines, self-ballasted LED lamps, grid-connected solar inverters and some others^[8]. See BEE star label and BEE products.

Can an importer hold the BEE registration?

Yes. Every company that manufactures, sells or imports a mandatory appliance must register with BEE, for a one-time Rs 5,000 fee^[8]. Each model then costs Rs 5,000 to register^[8].

Is there a deposit for BEE labels?

Yes: Rs 3 lakh per appliance category, or Rs 50,000 for small-scale industry, interest-free and refundable on permanently stopping^[8]. It can be forfeited for unexplained label non-compliance^[8]. See the BEE portal guide.

What is a Quality Control Order?

A government order under the BIS Act that makes an Indian Standard and the BIS mark compulsory for listed goods; the Toys QCO, for example, was issued under sections 16, 17 and 25(3) of the Act^[29]. Once notified, no one may import or sell covered goods without the Standard Mark under a valid licence^[30]. See Quality Control Orders and the glossary entry.

Do QCOs apply to imports?

Yes. The BIS Act counts importers as persons bound by section 17^[30], and the Foreign Trade Policy applies domestic technical and safety norms equally to imports unless exempted^[31]. A foreign factory gets an ISI licence through FMCS^[13].

Are QCOs being withdrawn?

Some are. On 12 November 2025 the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals rescinded 14 QCOs, including polyester yarns and several polymers^[32]. New ones keep arriving too, such as the household electrical appliances QCO of 6 April 2026, implemented on 1 October 2026^[33]. Track them on the QCO tracker and QCO orders data.

Is there any relief from QCOs for importers?

Narrow relief exists. The 2026 Transition Facilitation Order lets DPIIT permit assessed Indian companies to source goods under ten scheduled QCOs via BIS Scheme-II licences^[33], and some orders allow small R&D imports, such as 300 units a year for toys^[34]. See new rules for 2026.

Do I need an IEC to import?

Yes. No import or export may be made without an Importer Exporter Code unless specifically exempted^[31]. The fee is Rs 500^[9] and the IEC must be updated every April to June^[31]. See IEC code.

When must the Bill of Entry be filed?

Before the end of the day before the vessel or aircraft arrives, and up to 30 days in advance^[35]. Late filing costs Rs 5,000 a day for the first three days and Rs 10,000 a day after that^[10]. See Bill of Entry.

What documents does Customs need?

The Foreign Trade Policy lists the bill of lading or airway bill, the commercial invoice cum packing list and the Bill of Entry as mandatory import documents^[31]. Product approvals such as BIS, WPC and EPR registrations are checked on top. See the customs clearance documents checklist.

Does Customs test BIS products at the port?

It can. CBIC Instruction 28/2023-Customs is reported to require a BIS registration check on every CRS consignment, with risk-based sampling and out of charge only after the sample passes^[36]. Toys are sampled on every consignment under a DGFT condition^[37]. See why shipments get held.

Does the country of origin change the approvals?

No, product approvals are the same for every origin. What changes is duty: a preferential rate under a trade agreement needs a certificate of origin and an origin declaration on the Bill of Entry under CAROTAR^[38]. See importing by country, from China and from Vietnam.

How much does BIS CRS registration cost?

Since 25 February 2026 the official fees are Rs 1,000 per application, Rs 25,000 processing a year paid in advance, Rs 1,000 annual licence fee, and Rs 20,000 for each extra test report, plus GST^[2]. With one test report that is Rs 27,000 in year one. Indian micro enterprises and start-ups get 80% off the processing fee until 31 May 2029^[2]. Use the CRS fee calculator and read what a BIS certificate costs.

How much does an ISI licence cost for a foreign factory?

The application fee is Rs 1,000, visits are charged at Rs 7,000 per man-day, and officers' travel, visa and insurance are added with a Rs 10,000 contingency payment^[39]. After grant the factory gives a USD 10,000 bank guarantee^[40]. See FMCS fees and ISI licence costs.

What is the cheapest approval to get?

Legal Metrology registration at Rs 500^[5] and the IEC at Rs 500^[9]. Both are needed by almost every importer of retail goods. See LMPC registration costs.

Where can I see all fees in one place?

Our India compliance fees 2026 page lists them, and the compliance cost estimator builds a budget for your product. For electronics, read the cost of importing electronics.

What documents do Amazon and Flipkart ask for?

Marketplace sellers must give the platform the information it must display, including the total price and all mandatory notices^[41]. For regulated products that means BIS, WPC, EPR and Legal Metrology details. See Amazon India compliance documents and the checklists before listing on Amazon and before listing on Flipkart.

Can regulators act against products sold online?

Yes. BEE's market surveillance covers e-commerce and can have a platform de-register a non-compliant model^[8]. In a QCO case the CCPA ordered Amazon to recall 2,265 pressure cookers and pay Rs 1,00,000^[42]. See selling without BIS.

Are there special listing rules for wireless products?

Yes. Under CCPA's 2025 guidelines, listings for licence-exempt radio equipment must state frequency ranges and give the ETA details with downloadable copies of the ETA and test report^[43]. See walkie-talkies and compliance for Amazon sellers.

Where do Comploa's numbers come from?

Every fee, date, threshold and penalty on Comploa is cited inline to an official source such as BIS, CPCB, DoT, BEE, DGFT or CBIC, and reported figures are labelled as reported. How we research and update pages is set out in our editorial policy. For example, the CRS fees we use come from the Gazette notification of 25 February 2026, not the older table still on crsbis.in^[2].

Can Comploa check my product for free?

Yes. Send us the product and HS code through our free compliance check, or start with the approval checker and the HS code approval finder. Comploa is a reference site, not a regulator, so read our disclaimer; for filing help see our services or find a BIS consultant.