Importing electronics from Vietnam into India: BIS licences, AIFTA duty and what the importer files

India does not run a separate approval system for goods from Vietnam. The work splits the same way it does for every foreign source. BIS product approvals belong to the factory in Vietnam that makes the goods. Environmental, packaging and radio approvals belong to the business in India that imports and sells them.

The CRS licence goes to the manufacturer for each factory, not to an importer or trader^[3]. Even so, the ban on covered goods without the Standard Mark applies to anyone who imports them^[3], and the BIS Act counts importers, distributors and sellers as persons bound by it^[9]. So the Vietnamese factory's licence must cover your exact model before the goods leave Haiphong or Ho Chi Minh City.

India imported goods worth US$ 11,614.36 million from Vietnam in 2025-26, up from US$ 10,333.95 million the year before, which made Vietnam the source of 1.4972% of all Indian imports^[1]. Electronics dominate. Chapter 85 electrical goods alone came to US$ 4,885.79 million^[1], and chapter 84 machinery, which includes computers, to US$ 1,233.99 million^[1].

The biggest single line is HS 8517, telephone sets including smartphones and their parts, at US$ 1,263.40 million^[1]. Computers under HS 8471 grew fastest among the big lines, from US$ 235.59 million to US$ 411.11 million^[1]. Earphones, speakers and microphones (HS 8518) reached US$ 399.14 million^[1].

BIS does not publish a country-by-country count of CRS registrations that we could find, so there is no official number for Vietnamese factories under CRS. It does publish a country-wise list of ISI-mark licences under FMCS. On 30 October 2026 that list had 3,216 records in total^[2], and Vietnam had more than any other country, with 325^[2]. Of those, 320 were operative and 5 deferred^[2].

Most of Vietnam's FMCS licences are not for electronics. The list includes 129 for footwear under IS 15844, 18 for toys under IS 9873 (Part 1), 10 under IS 15644 for electric toys, 5 under IS 302 for household electrical appliances, 4 for helmets, 3 for plugs under IS 1293 and 2 for PVC-insulated cables^[2]. If you are buying toys, helmets or extension boards from Vietnam, there is a fair chance the factory already holds an FMCS licence you can check.

One CRS list does show country: BIS's list of CCTV registrations that meet the security Essential Requirements. On 1 November 2026 it had 2 entries from a factory in Vietnam, both held by Hanwha Vision Vietnam Company Limited^[26].

BIS CRS: plan on testing in India. A test report counts only if it comes from a lab established, maintained or recognised by BIS for that product^[11]. When we checked BIS's laboratory search on 1 November 2026, all 68 lab entries listed for IS 13252 (Part 1) were in India^[4], and none of the 54 lab entries listed for IS/IEC 62368 showed a location outside India^[27]. So samples from Vietnam normally travel to an Indian lab, and a report from a Vietnamese lab for its home certification does not replace it.

WPC ETA: an accredited lab anywhere. The self-declaration asks that the RF test report come from an accredited laboratory and that you state the lab's name and country^[17]. A report from an accredited lab in Vietnam can therefore support an ETA filing.

MTCTE: foreign labs only from non-border countries. Vietnam does not share a land border with India, so the 2025 telecom conformity rules allow an ILAC-accredited lab there to be recognised as a Conformity Assessment Body for MTCTE^[6]. Recognition is not automatic: check TEC's current list before relying on a foreign lab.

Samples from Vietnam go to a BIS-recognised lab in India, and the largest cluster is around Delhi NCR. BIS's Group-1 list of recognised labs dated 30 October 2026 had 444 entries, every one in an Indian state or union territory^[28].

On the lab search for IS 13252 (Part 1), at least 32 of the 68 entries have names placing them in Delhi NCR^[29]. Each lab declares its own charge, so quotes for the same standard differ by several times. The table shows what BIS's lab search displayed on 1 November 2026; see BIS labs in Delhi NCR, Mumbai and Pune and our guide to CRS test labs.

Could a lab in Vietnam be recognised later? The rules allow it. A foreign lab is judged on the same criteria as an Indian one, plus a liaison office or authorised representative in India and a signed agreement with BIS^[30]. None was on the list when we checked.

Shipping the samples. MeitY's CRS FAQ says the registration order does not apply to goods imported for demonstration, R&D or testing in India^[31], so test samples can clear customs without an R-number. Our guide to importing samples for BIS testing covers the paperwork, and how to read a BIS test report helps you check the report the Vietnamese factory sends you.

Most consumer electronics from Vietnam fall under the Compulsory Registration Scheme: phones, laptops, earphones, power adapters, CCTV cameras, lithium cells and more. CRS is BIS's Scheme-II and rests on the manufacturer's self-declaration of conformity backed by a lab report^[3]. The factory applies online on crsbis.in^[35]. These are the steps from the factory's side.

Any Indian resident who agrees to answer for the Vietnamese factory's compliance with the BIS Act, Rules and licence terms can be its Authorised Indian Representative (AIR)^[38]. The factory nominates the AIR on Form IV, with further details in Forms IIIA and IIIB^[11].

There are three routes: the factory's own liaison or branch office in India, the Indian brand owner or registered user of the brand, or another Indian entity backed by the brand owner's declaration^[10]. FMCS works the same way: ISI-mark applicants also nominate an AIR on the prescribed form^[39]. The role is explained in our glossary entry on the AIR.

Three rules catch importers out:

• One foreign factory per AIR. An AIR may represent only one foreign manufacturer, unless the factories are in the same group of companies or the AIR is a related importer^[38]. An Indian trading company cannot act for two unrelated Vietnamese suppliers at once.
• The AIR shares the liability. When a company commits an offence under the BIS Act, its responsible officers and its authorised representative are deemed guilty along with it^[9]. Importing or selling notified goods without a valid Standard Mark is punishable with up to two years' imprisonment or a fine of not less than Rs 2 lakh for a first contravention^[9].
• Switching AIR costs a fee. BIS charges Rs 5,000 plus GST to change the AIR or contact person on a CRS licence^[40].

If you own the brand, being the AIR yourself keeps the licence paperwork in your hands and lets you see renewal dates. Many Vietnamese factories instead appoint a BIS consultant or an Indian distributor. Read how to choose a BIS consultant and our guide for foreign manufacturers before you sign anything.

It depends on the scheme.

CRS: no factory visit in the official steps. The listed steps are lab testing and an online application^[35].

ISI mark through FMCS: yes. Products under a Quality Control Order that need the ISI mark are certified for foreign factories under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme. BIS scrutinises the application, visits the factory to check its manufacturing and testing set-up and draw samples, has the samples tested independently, and then grants the licence^[5]. For a factory in Vietnam that means:

• Apply online. From 1 June 2026 BIS accepts FMCS applications only through the Manakonline portal^[39].
• Pay in dollars. Applicants outside SAARC pay in equivalent US dollars, by RTGS, NEFT or SWIFT, net of bank charges^[41].
• Pay for the inspection trip. Fees match Indian Scheme-I licensees, plus per-diem, air tickets, visa and insurance for the BIS officers and a Rs 10,000 contingency payment^[41]. Visit charges are Rs 7,000 per man-day^[41].
• Give a bank guarantee. After grant the factory signs an agreement and indemnity bond and gives a USD 10,000 performance bank guarantee^[5].
• Allow about six months. BIS says FMCS licences take on average around six months from a complete application^[5].
• Expect surveillance. BIS keeps visiting licensed factories and buys samples from the market^[42].

Vietnamese factories already go through this in large numbers: 320 of their FMCS licences were operative on 30 October 2026^[2]. For appliances, the Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances (Quality Control) Order, 2026 was issued on 6 April 2026 with implementation on 1 October 2026^[25], so check whether your product is in its schedule before ordering.

It can. The ASEAN–India Trade in Goods Agreement was signed in Bangkok on 13 August 2009^[43], and its goods provisions took effect between India and Vietnam on 1 June 2010^[8]. India's concessional rates for ASEAN-origin goods are reported to sit in Notification 46/2011-Customs, as amended^[44].

The origin rule. A product made with non-ASEAN inputs qualifies if AIFTA content is at least 35% of the FOB value and the non-originating materials change tariff sub-heading, with the final manufacture in Vietnam^[43]. That matters for electronics assembled in Vietnam from imported parts: a phone or earbud built mainly from Chinese components may not reach 35% regional content, even though the box says "Made in Vietnam". The preference then does not apply.

The certificate. The claim needs a preferential certificate of origin called Form AI^[43].

The agreement is under review. India and ASEAN are reviewing it; the Commerce Department said the review targets injury to Indian industry and inequitable tariff liberalisation^[45]. Reports say the review was still pending after a Joint Committee meeting in October 2026^[46]. Rates and rules may change when it ends.

Preferential duty is never automatic. Since 21 September 2020, the Customs (Administration of Rules of Origin under Trade Agreements) Rules, 2020, known as CAROTAR, apply whenever an importer claims a preferential rate^[47]. They were made by Notification 81/2020-Customs (N.T.) under section 28DA of the Customs Act^[48]. Section 28DA puts the duty of reasonable care on you: a certificate of origin from the exporting country does not take that responsibility away^[49].

Anti-dumping duty is imposed by a Finance Ministry customs notification under section 9A of the Customs Tariff Act, after final findings by the Directorate General of Trade Remedies; it usually runs for five years and is paid in rupees^[55]. It is charged on top of basic customs duty and applies whatever approvals the product has. Vietnam faces more trade-remedy measures than most of India's ASEAN partners, several on inputs that matter to electronics and appliance makers. It is also one of the countries not exempted from India's 2025 steel safeguard duty for certain categories of flat steel^[56].

This is a selection of duties in force on 1 November 2026, chosen for relevance to electronics and appliance importers; it is not a complete list. Check the CBIC notification for your exact product and producer before you price an order.

These cannot be held by the factory in Vietnam. They sit with the business in India that imports and sells.

EPR for e-waste. A producer under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 includes anyone who offers imported electrical and electronic equipment for sale^[12]. Imports are allowed only for products that meet the RoHS limits^[12], so ask the factory for its RoHS data.

EPR for batteries. Importing batteries, or equipment containing them, makes you a producer^[13], and CPCB says importers must register before importing^[14].

EPR for plastic packaging. An importer of any commodity in plastic packaging is covered^[15].

Legal Metrology. Every person who imports a commodity for sale must register its name and address^[16], for a Rs 500 fee^[16], within 90 days of starting^[16]. Every retail pack must declare the importer's name and address and the country of origin^[63]: that is Vietnam only if the goods were made there.

WPC ETA. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and other licence-exempt radio devices need an ETA^[7], filed by the importer or Indian representative at Rs 10,000 per model^[7]. If you file as the Vietnamese maker's representative, you need its authorisation letter^[7].

BEE star label. Any company that makes, sells or imports an appliance on BEE's mandatory list must register with BEE, for a one-time Rs 5,000 fee^[24]. The list includes refrigerators, room air conditioners, ceiling fans, storage water heaters, televisions and washing machines^[24].

MTCTE. A foreign maker's telecom equipment is certified through an Indian company that imports it, acting as AIR^[19]. Wi-Fi access points and CPE have needed MTCTE since 1 January 2024^[21].

A smartphone from Vietnam needs a CRS registration for the factory^[20], a WPC ETA filed in India^[7], and EPR and Legal Metrology registrations held by you. It does not need prior MTCTE: mobile handsets are exempt under S.O. 2372(E)^[64].

Finished smartphones are a small share of what India buys from Vietnam. Imports under ITC(HS) 85171300 from Vietnam were US$ 47.95 million in 2025-26, up from US$ 6.15 million, while China supplied US$ 542.26 million of the same line^[65]. Most of Vietnam's HS 8517 total is therefore parts and other equipment.

Duty is the other question. The standard basic customs duty on mobile phones, their PCBA and their chargers was cut from 20% to 15% in the Union Budget 2024-25^[66]. A lower ASEAN–India rate needs the 35% content rule to be met^[43], which is hard for phones built from imported chips and displays. Our full guide to importing mobile phones from Vietnam walks through the R-number, ETA, labels and a worked budget; the general product page is mobile phones.

Many do. Vietnam leads BIS's FMCS list with 325 records^[2], and 129 of them are for footwear under IS 15844^[2]. If you buy shoes, start with the footwear QCO.

Toys are the other big group. Of 60 FMCS licence records under the toy standards IS 9873 (Part 1) and IS 15644 on 30 October 2026, Vietnam held 28, more than any other country, and none was for a factory in China^[67]. The Toys QCO requires the Standard Mark under Scheme-I^[68], which for a foreign factory means FMCS with a BIS visit. So a Vietnamese toy maker with a licence already in hand can save you months; ask for the CM/L number and check it on the Manakonline portal. Our toys import page covers testing at the port.

A first CRS registration plus the importer's own approvals runs to roughly Rs 1.3 lakh to Rs 3.3 lakh in fees and testing before GST, for one earbud model from a new Vietnamese factory. The figures below are official fees and declared lab charges; your consultant's fee is extra.

Wireless earphones are a CRS category under IS/IEC 62368 (Part 1):2023^[20]. Bluetooth earphones are reported to need a WPC ETA^[69], and TWS earbuds with charging cases make you a battery producer^[70].

Add plastic EPR if the retail box uses plastic, the factory's courier costs for samples, and any consultant. Consultants price very differently: one lists a Rs 14,999 professional fee plus Rs 10,000 extra for foreign applicants^[71]. Run your own numbers with the compliance cost estimator and the BIS CRS fee calculator, or compare with the cost of importing electronics.

Customs wants the commercial papers plus proof of each product approval, and it checks some of them in its own systems. The bill of entry must be filed before the end of the day before the ship or aircraft arrives^[75]; late filing without good reason costs Rs 5,000 a day for the first three days and Rs 10,000 a day after that^[76]. Only the importer or a licensed customs broker can file it^[77]. The full list is in our customs clearance documents checklist and documents required for import.

Most delays trace back to a licence that does not match the goods in the box. The fixes below are the ones we see most often; when a shipment is already stuck, our post on why shipments get held at Indian ports and the CRS rejections guide go further. Not sure which approvals your product needs? Start with the HS code approval finder, or send us the product for a free compliance check.