Every month, Indian businesses importing batteries—whether small traders, laptop distributors, EV parts importers, or UPS manufacturers—run into the same challenge: shipments get stuck at customs because they don’t have an EPR Registration Number. Some importers discover this too late, after demurrage charges build up or their supply chain slows down.
If you import batteries or equipment that contains batteries, this guide is crafted specifically for you. It explains the 2025 rules in simple language, walks through registration, obligations, and risks, and gives practical importer-focused examples.
Let’s start with the foundation.
Battery importers are legally treated as Producers under the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022. It doesn’t matter if the battery carries a foreign brand, comes pre-installed in a device, or is part of a component you import—if it enters India because of your business, you must register.
Only in a rare case:
If an Indian manufacturer imports the battery under their brand, then they are the Producer—not you.
For 95% of importers, EPR registration is mandatory.
Registrations under older battery rules (before 2022) no longer apply. Every importer needs a fresh registration under the 2022 Rules.
This walkthrough simplifies the official SOP into a clear, importer-friendly flow.
Visit the battery EPR portal and choose “Importer” while signing up. You’ll verify your mobile and email via OTP.
Details required during sign-up:
Once verified, your account becomes active.
After logging in, you will start Form 1(A), which captures basic company information, battery categories, and brand details.
You’ll fill:
Even if you import under the foreign brand’s name, you must still register—they do not carry EPR responsibility inside India.
This section is critical because your EPR targets depend on this data.
You must report:
For importers, “sales” means:
This data should match your invoices and import documents.
The portal requires you to enter the approximate percentage of metals inside each battery type—especially lithium-ion, which has multiple metals.
This helps CPCB calculate:
Example:
A lithium-ion battery might contain nickel, cobalt, lithium, manganese, aluminium, copper, and iron in different percentages.
You’ll upload all mandatory documents in PDF format:
| Required Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| GST Certificate | Must match registered address |
| PAN (company/authorized person) | Mandatory |
| IEC | Compulsory for importers |
| CIN (if applicable) | Pvt Ltd / LLP |
| Sales data sheet | Required for EPR target calculation |
| Battery composition details | Metal % declaration |
| Air/Water Consent | Only if you have a manufacturing/storage unit |
The portal calculates fees based on your company’s turnover slab. Payment occurs online using the integrated gateway.
CPCB generally processes registrations within 15 working days, provided your documents are accurate and aligned.
If approved, you receive:
You can then officially import batteries/enclosed battery products into India.
Once registered, you are responsible for ensuring that the batteries you sell in India are collected, recycled, or refurbished at the end of their life.
Your responsibilities include:
CPCB automatically calculates targets based on:
For lithium-ion batteries, the target is split across:
For lead-acid batteries, targets focus primarily on lead recovery.
Recent updates in 2025 made compliance stricter and more traceable. Here are the key points simplified:
You must print a machine-readable code containing your EPR Registration Number on:
This ensures each battery is traceable back to your company.
If the battery contains extremely low levels of:
Some chemical hazard markings may not be required.
This does not affect your obligation to print the EPR Registration Number.
To meet your EPR targets, you must buy recycling certificates from recyclers registered on the same CPCB portal.
| Compliance Requirement | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Obtain CPCB Registration | Before importing |
| Enter sales/import data | Ongoing |
| Buy EPR Certificates | Annual or quarterly |
| File Annual Return | By June 30 each year |
| Print QR/EPR Code | Mandatory from 2025 onwards |
Many importers underestimate the consequences. Here’s what actually happens:
This is the most common real-world impact. If the importer cannot produce a valid EPR Registration Number, customs can hold or delay clearance.
CPCB can levy EC for:
If CPCB finds misinformation, they can:
Some distributors refuse to deal with non-compliant importers because they don’t want EC risk passed downstream.
A Gurgaon laptop distributor imported devices with Li-ion batteries and assumed EPR does not apply since batteries were “inside electronics.”
They learned the hard way—CPCB clarified that the importer of the device remains the Producer.
A Chennai parts importer sourced generic EV battery packs. The foreign manufacturer had no Indian presence.
Result: They were the Producer and had to declare their own brand name during CPCB registration.
A retail chain imported thousands of inverters for their stores’ backup power.
Even though these were not sold commercially, they still counted as a Producer and needed registration.
| Document | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| GST | Yes | Must match portal entry |
| PAN | Yes | For company/authorized person |
| IEC | Yes | Mandatory for importing |
| CIN | If applicable | Pvt Ltd/LLP |
| Sales/Import Data | Yes | Must match invoices |
| Battery Composition | Yes | Needed for EPR calculation |
| Consent Certificates | Only if applicable | Not needed for traders |
| Battery Type | Metals Involved | Target Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Lead Acid | Lead (Pb) | Lead recovery |
| Lithium-Ion | Li, Ni, Mn, Co, Al, Fe, Cu | Chemistry-wise targets |
| NiCd | Nickel, Cadmium | Metal-wise recovery |
| Zinc-based | Zn, Mn, Fe | Category-wise targets |
Filing your annual return is straightforward if you keep sales records updated.
You must:
Missing this deadline may result in penalties.
If you import batteries or equipment containing batteries, the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022—and the 2025 amendments—place clear responsibilities on your business. EPR is no longer a background compliance formality; it has become an operational requirement affecting logistics, customs clearance, documentation, and long-term business relationships.
Being proactive with registration, maintaining sales data, and ensuring recycling obligations are fulfilled helps you avoid delays, penalties, and business disruptions.
If you need support navigating the registration process or understanding EPR obligations clearly, expert help can save weeks of time and prevent costly mistakes.
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Because importers are treated as “Producers” under BWM Rules 2022. Without EPR registration, you cannot legally import or sell batteries in India.
You’ll need GST, PAN, CIN, IEC, sales data, battery composition details, and an authorized person’s KYC — all uploaded on the CPCB portal.
On average, CPCB processes applications within 15 working days, provided all documents are correct and complete.
CPCB can impose Environmental Compensation, suspend registration, or revoke your license to import.
Yes — most businesses prefer consultants because the portal is complex, and even a small mistake can delay or reject approval.
