BIS Certification for Imports into India: CRS, ISI, and How to Get Certified

Key takeaways

If you are importing goods into India (or sourcing raw materials from abroad for manufacturing) BIS certification is one of those requirements that can quietly stall your entire shipment at customs. The Bureau of Indian Standards has been steadily expanding its mandatory certification list, and as of 2026, over 370 product categories require either a CRS registration or an ISI mark before they can be sold or imported into the country.

This guide covers both certification schemes end to end: what they are, which products fall under each, how to apply, which labs to use, how long it takes, and what happens if you try to clear customs without one. Whether you are a foreign manufacturer shipping electronics to India or an Indian exporter who imports raw materials, this is the process you need to know.

What Is BIS and Why It Matters

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is India's national standards body, established under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016. It sets quality and safety standards for products sold in India, operates certification schemes, and enforces compliance through testing, surveillance, and market checks.

BIS matters for importers because the Indian government has been using it as the primary mechanism to enforce product quality at the border. Through Quality Control Orders (QCOs) issued by various ministries, an increasing number of products now require mandatory BIS certification before they can be manufactured, sold, or imported into India. Without valid BIS certification, customs will not release your goods.

The two main certification routes are the ISI mark (a product certification scheme covering around 150 product categories) and CRS (Compulsory Registration Scheme, specifically for electronics and IT goods). The scheme that applies to you depends entirely on what you are importing.

Two Certification Schemes: CRS vs ISI

BIS operates several certification schemes, but for imports, two matter most. Understanding the difference saves you from applying under the wrong scheme and losing weeks.

Products Requiring BIS Certification

The list of products under mandatory BIS certification has grown significantly over the past five years. Here is a breakdown by category.

CRS-notified products (electronics and IT)

• Laptops, tablets, and notebooks
• Mobile phones and smartphones
• Power adapters, chargers, and power banks
• LED luminaires, LED drivers, and self-ballasted lamps
• Printers, scanners, and set-top boxes
• Smart TVs, monitors, and display panels
• Microwave ovens, washing machines, and air conditioners (electronic components)
• CCTV cameras, video doorbells, and IoT devices

ISI-notified products (non-electronics)

• Steel (TMT bars, structural steel, stainless steel)
• Cement (OPC, PPC, PSC, and composite cements)
• Chemicals (industrial chemicals, acids, solvents)
• Toys (all categories under the Toys QCO 2020)
• Helmets (two-wheeler helmets under IS 4151)
• Automotive parts (tyres, safety glass, mirrors)
• Solar panels and photovoltaic modules
• Household electrical appliances (switches, cables, wires)

CRS Registration Process: Step by Step

CRS is the simpler of the two schemes and applies to all electronics and IT products notified under the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order. Here is how the process works.

ISI Mark Certification Process

The ISI mark scheme is more involved than CRS. It is a full product certification programme with factory audits, ongoing surveillance, and quality-control obligations. It applies to non-electronic products covered under various Quality Control Orders.

The process begins with an application on the BIS portal, followed by a factory audit where BIS officers inspect your manufacturing facility, quality management systems, and testing infrastructure. Sample products are drawn during the audit and sent to BIS labs for independent testing. If both the factory audit and product testing are satisfactory, BIS grants a licence to use the ISI mark.

Unlike CRS, the ISI mark comes with ongoing obligations. BIS conducts annual surveillance audits of the factory, and licensees must maintain quality-control records, testing equipment, and trained personnel. BIS can also pull products from the market at any time for surprise testing. If a product fails, the licence can be suspended or cancelled.

Testing Requirements: Labs, Reports, and Timelines

For both CRS and ISI, product testing is the foundation of the application. BIS only accepts test reports from laboratories it recognises. Using an unrecognised lab means your application gets rejected outright.

BIS-recognised laboratories

• ERTL (Electronics Regional Test Laboratories). Operated by STQC under MeitY, with labs in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, and Mohali. Primary labs for CRS testing.
• STQC (Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification). The parent organisation of ERTLs, also operates independent testing for IT products.
• NABL-accredited labs. BIS accepts test reports from select NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) accredited private labs, provided the lab's scope covers the specific Indian Standard being tested.
• BIS-recognised foreign labs. For foreign manufacturers, BIS has recognised certain international labs (including some in China, Taiwan, and South Korea) to issue test reports accepted for CRS applications.

Test reports must follow the format specified by BIS for the relevant Indian Standard. The report must include detailed test results for every clause of the IS, product photographs, model numbers, and the lab's NABL or BIS recognition details. Test reports are typically valid for 6 months to 1 year from the date of testing. If your application is delayed beyond this window, you may need to retest.

Impact on Importers: Customs and Penalties

For importers, BIS certification is not optional. It is a customs clearance prerequisite. When your shipment arrives at an Indian port, customs checks the HS code against the list of BIS-notified products. If your product is on the list and you do not have a valid BIS registration or ISI licence, customs will not release the goods.

The consequences are immediate and expensive. Your shipment sits at the port accruing demurrage and detention charges. You cannot obtain a provisional release for notified products without BIS certification. In some cases, customs may order the goods to be re-exported or destroyed at your cost.

If you are importing goods from China or other manufacturing hubs, work with your supplier to ensure they have CRS registration before you place the order. The registration must be in the manufacturer's name (not the importer's), and the registration number must be physically marked on the product. Learn more about the full customs duty and compliance process for importing from China.

Impact on Indian Exporters

BIS certification is not just an importer's concern. If you are an Indian manufacturer who exports finished goods but imports raw materials or components, BIS requirements can affect your supply chain directly.

For example, if you manufacture electronic devices for export and import electronic components (capacitors, resistors, PCBs) that fall under CRS notification, your supplier must have CRS registration for those components. Similarly, if you import steel for manufacturing and that grade of steel is under an ISI QCO, you need to source from a BIS-certified supplier.

Exporters should also be aware that the import duty on electronics interacts with BIS requirements. Even if you are importing components under concessional duty schemes (like advance authorisation), the BIS certification requirement still applies independently. Your export documentation needs to account for the BIS compliance of imported inputs.

Recent Changes: Expanded CRS List and QCO Proliferation

The Indian government has been aggressively expanding the scope of mandatory BIS certification as part of its broader Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) and quality-control agenda. The changes in 2025-26 have been particularly significant.

Key changes in 2025-26

• 50+ new products added to CRS: including wireless earbuds, Bluetooth speakers, smart watches, robotic vacuum cleaners, EV chargers, and portable projectors.
• Quality Control Orders (QCOs) from multiple ministries: the Ministry of Steel, Ministry of Chemicals, DPIIT, and Ministry of Consumer Affairs have all issued new QCOs making BIS certification mandatory for products that were previously unregulated.
• Stricter enforcement at customs: the CBIC has integrated BIS registration verification into the ICEGATE system. Automated checks now flag shipments of notified products without valid BIS registration at the Bill of Entry stage itself.
• Increased factory inspections for foreign manufacturers: BIS has ramped up factory inspections, particularly for manufacturers in China and Southeast Asia, after instances of fake CRS registrations were detected.

Common Challenges and How to Navigate Them

BIS certification is straightforward in theory but frequently frustrating in practice. Here are the challenges we see importers and manufacturers run into most often.

Lengthy process for foreign manufacturers

If you are a foreign manufacturer, the CRS process includes a factory inspection by BIS officials who must travel to your facility. Scheduling this inspection, arranging visas for BIS officers, and coordinating the visit can add 4-8 weeks to the timeline. For ISI mark applications, it is even longer. Plan for a minimum of 3 months for CRS and 6 months for ISI when applying from outside India.

Test report validity and retesting

BIS test reports are typically valid for 6 months to 1 year. If your application gets delayed due to queries or inspection scheduling, the test report may expire before registration is granted, requiring you to retest and pay lab fees again. The solution: do not submit the application until all supporting documents are complete, and follow up aggressively on any BIS queries within 48 hours.

Multiple models and variants

CRS registration is per model. A manufacturer with 20 variants of a product (different colours, configurations, or regional SKUs) may need 20 separate test reports and registrations. BIS does allow grouping of "similar models" under a single registration if the core electronic design is identical, but the criteria for similarity are narrow and often require clarification with BIS.

Renewal before expiry

CRS registration is valid for 2 years. The renewal process takes 2-4 weeks, and you must apply before the registration expires. If the registration lapses, you cannot import or sell the product until the renewal is processed. Set a reminder at least 3 months before expiry to initiate the renewal application and fresh testing if required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I import electronics into India without BIS certification?

No. Electronics and IT products covered under the CRS notification cannot be imported without valid BIS registration. Customs will not clear shipments of notified products without proof of CRS registration. As of 2026, over 80 product categories including laptops, mobile phones, chargers, power banks, and LED lights require CRS registration before import.

How long does BIS CRS registration take and what does it cost?

CRS registration typically takes 4 to 8 weeks from application, assuming your test reports are in order. The registration fee is Rs 1,000 per product model. For foreign manufacturers, a factory inspection may add 2 to 4 additional weeks. Lab testing costs vary from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh depending on the product category and number of tests required. Registration is valid for 2 years and must be renewed before expiry.

What is the difference between BIS ISI mark and CRS registration?

ISI mark applies to around 150 non-electronic product categories (steel, cement, helmets, toys) and requires a factory audit, product testing, and ongoing annual surveillance by BIS. CRS was introduced specifically for electronics and IT products. It is a simpler, registration-based scheme where the manufacturer submits test reports from a recognised lab and BIS issues a registration number. CRS is faster (4-8 weeks vs 3-6 months) but does not eliminate the possibility of market surveillance checks by BIS.

Related Guides

• Import from China: Customs Duty 2026. Complete guide to importing goods from China into India, including customs duty rates, documentation, and clearance process.
• Import Duty on Electronics India 2026. Current import duty rates on electronics, IT hardware, and consumer electronics imported into India.
• Export Documentation Guide. All the documents Indian exporters need for shipping, customs, and compliance.
• HS Code Lookup Tool. Find the correct HS code for your product to determine applicable duties, BIS requirements, and trade restrictions.

Update history

• 2026-07-14 First published.