Customs will not clear your goods without a valid BIS License. We help foreign manufacturers and Indian importers obtain ISI Mark and CRS Registration efficiently.
Is your HS Code under QCO?
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the national standards body of India. To ensure the safety and quality of products entering the Indian market, the government issues Quality Control Orders (QCOs) making BIS certification mandatory for specific products.
Importing goods listed under a QCO without a valid BIS license number printed on the product/packaging is illegal. Such cargo will be detained by Customs and may be re-exported or destroyed.
Product Certification Scheme
Requires a physical Factory Audit by BIS officers. The license is granted to the manufacturing unit (Foreign or Domestic) after successful testing of samples drawn during the audit.
Compulsory Registration Scheme
Based on Self-Declaration. No factory audit is required. The manufacturer must send product samples to a BIS-recognized lab in India. Registration is granted based on the test report.
The list of mandatory products is expanding rapidly. Check if your product falls under these major categories currently under Quality Control Orders (QCOs).
Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) allows overseas factories to use the ISI mark.
BIS is not just a certificate; it's a rigorous technical audit of your factory and your product.
Exporters often confuse CRS (Compulsory Registration Scheme) for electronics with the ISI Mark (Product Certification) for industrial goods. CloudDesk performs a Scheme Mapping to ensure you apply under the correct "Schedule," preventing rejected applications and wasted testing fees.
BIS requires testing in BIS-recognized NABL labs within India. For foreign manufacturers, this means shipping samples under a "Temporary Import" bond. CloudDesk manages the Sample Logistics, lab scheduling, and technical follow-ups to ensure the "Test Report" meets the exact Indian Standard (IS) requirements.
If you are a manufacturer outside India, you need FMCS to use the ISI mark. CloudDesk acts as your Authorized Indian Agent (AIR), managing the physical factory audit by BIS officers, the nomination of the technical personnel, and the execution of the Performance Bank Guarantee.
The government adds new products to the "Mandatory BIS List" almost every month. CloudDesk's Compliance Radar alerts you 90 days before a new QCO kicks in for your HSN code, giving you enough time to get certified before the port-blockade begins.
• CRS: Mostly for Electronics, IT products, and Solar (e.g., Laptops, Mobile phones). It is based on Self-Declaration of conformity.
• ISI Mark: For "Core" sectors like Steel, Cement, Electrical Cables, Toys, and Chemicals. It involves a Factory Audit by BIS officials.
You must check the Compulsory Registration List on the BIS portal. In 2026, over 600 products are under mandatory certification. CloudDesk provides an HSN-to-BIS Mapping service to confirm your status instantly.
Yes. You can import limited samples for R&D or BIS testing by obtaining an Exemption Letter or a "Provisional Entry" from Customs. CloudDesk manages this specialized clearance.
No. While Indian Standards (IS) are often aligned with International Standards (ISO/IEC), BIS mandates testing in an Indian Lab for most categories.
For foreign manufacturers, an AIR is a local legal entity (like CloudDesk) that takes responsibility for the product's quality and compliance in India. Having a competent AIR is a mandatory requirement for FMCS and CRS.
• CRS: 15–30 days (after lab reports).
• ISI/FMCS: 3–6 months (due to factory inspections and international travel for officers).
Typically 2 years. You must apply for renewal at least 3 months before expiry. CloudDesk's Renewal Bot ensures your certification never lapses.
Under the BIS Act, 2016, penalties include heavy fines (up to 10x the value of goods), seizure of stock, and even imprisonment for company directors. In 2026, Customs has "Zero Tolerance" for BIS violations.