How to Get BIS Certification for Products Imported from China to India

When BrightNova Imports Pvt. Ltd., a Delhi-based trading company, brought in a shipment of electric kettles from China, everything seemed perfect — until Customs flagged the goods for missing BIS certification. The consignment sat at port for 45 days, and demurrage costs piled up.

Situations like this are common. Many Indian importers are unaware that products made abroad must comply with India’s Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) before entering the market. This article walks you through the updated 2025 process to get BIS certification for imported goods from China — and how to avoid costly compliance mistakes.

Understanding BIS and Its Role in Imports

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is India’s national authority for product quality and safety. For importers, it’s the gatekeeper that decides whether a product can legally enter and be sold in India.

BIS certification ensures that imported products meet the safety, reliability, and performance benchmarks defined by Indian Standards (IS). These rules are enforced under Quality Control Orders (QCOs), which make certification mandatory for certain products.

There are two main certification schemes that apply to imported goods:

Scheme	What It Covers	Who Applies	Process Snapshot
FMCS (Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme)	Industrial goods, appliances, metals, chemicals, machinery and similar products under QCOs.	Foreign manufacturer (through Indian Authorized Representative).	Application + factory audit + sample testing + ISI mark licence.
CRS (Compulsory Registration Scheme)	Electronics and IT equipment notified by MeitY (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, LED lights).	Manufacturer or importer.	BIS-recognized lab testing + online registration, no factory visit.

If your product is covered under a Quality Control Order, it cannot be imported or sold in India without a valid BIS licence.

Step 1: Identify If Your Product Requires BIS Certification

Before anything else, determine whether your product is covered by a Quality Control Order (QCO).

• Visit the BIS or DGFT website and search using your HS code.
• Check whether your category appears in the list of mandatory standards.
• If it’s an electronic or IT product (e.g., power banks, laptops, adapters), it typically falls under the CRS scheme.
• For industrial goods, home appliances, or mechanical components, you’ll usually fall under FMCS (ISI mark).

Even if your product isn’t currently listed, BIS regularly expands QCOs each year. Planning early for compliance helps future-proof your business.

Step 2: Appoint an Indian Authorized Representative (AIR)

Foreign manufacturers — including those based in China — must nominate an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) to act as their official point of contact. The AIR is legally responsible for ensuring compliance and handling BIS correspondence in India.

What makes a good AIR:

• Must be an Indian citizen or registered company.
• Should have a valid PAN and Aadhaar.
• Must provide a signed authorization letter from the manufacturer.
• Should have technical knowledge of the product and its standards.

Many importers work with compliance consultants or law firms to serve as their AIR, ensuring proper documentation and communication with BIS.

Step 3: Conduct Product Testing in a BIS-Recognized Laboratory

All products seeking certification must undergo testing in a BIS-approved laboratory in India.

For CRS (electronics):

• Samples are tested for compliance with the applicable Indian Standard (IS number).
• Test reports are valid for 90 days from the date of issue.
• Reports must exactly match the product model number that will be imported.

For FMCS (industrial goods):

• Samples may be drawn directly from the foreign factory during inspection.
• Testing focuses on structural safety, material quality, and conformity to the IS standard.

Pro tip: Request your manufacturer to send pre-production samples for testing before you finalize a bulk shipment.

Step 4: Apply Online Through the BIS Portal

Applications for BIS certification are filed online via:

• Manakonline Portal for FMCS
• CRS Portal for electronics and IT equipment

You’ll need to upload:

• Lab test reports (in PDF format).
• Factory layout and manufacturing process documents.
• Business identification: GST, CIN, IEC certificates.
• AIR nomination letter and power of attorney.
• Undertaking of compliance with BIS Act and applicable standards.

For Chinese manufacturers, note that BIS does not accept generic email domains like Gmail for the factory contact. You must use your company domain email.

Step 5: Undergo Factory Audit (FMCS Only)

For FMCS applicants, BIS officials conduct a factory inspection at the overseas manufacturing facility. They assess the production line, testing setup, and quality control systems to ensure compliance with Indian Standards.

The inspection is generally scheduled within 30–45 days of submitting the application. The manufacturer bears all travel and inspection costs.

Once the inspection is successful and lab reports are verified, BIS grants an ISI licence for the product.

Step 6: Get Your BIS Licence or Registration Number

Once approved, BIS issues:

• FMCS Licence (ISI mark) — allows you to label your product with the ISI logo and licence number.
• CRS Registration Number — must be printed on each product and its packaging.

Licence Validity

• CRS Registration: Valid for two years, renewable with updated test reports.
• FMCS Licence: Also valid for two years, renewable after re-inspection.

Maintaining your BIS licence ensures smooth customs clearance for every future consignment.

Step 7: Link Your Licence with DGFT and Customs

After receiving your certificate, update the licence details on the DGFT and ICEGATE portals. Customs officers can then verify BIS compliance digitally at the port.

Importers bringing in products without BIS certification risk:

• Shipment detention or re-export.
• Environmental compensation or fines.
• Revocation of import licences for repeated violations.

Ensuring your BIS details are visible in customs systems eliminates unnecessary delays.

Processing Time and Fee Breakdown

Stage	CRS (Electronics)	FMCS (Industrial Goods)
Lab Testing	₹25,000 – ₹60,000	₹50,000 – ₹80,000
Application & Processing Fee	₹1,000 – ₹5,000	₹1,00,000 (includes inspection fee)
Factory Audit	Not required	₹2 – ₹4 lakh (travel & audit)
Licence Validity	2 years	2 years
Renewal Fee	₹1,000 – ₹5,000	₹50,000 – ₹1,00,000
Average Processing Time	3–4 weeks	6–8 weeks

Costs may vary depending on the product, complexity, and number of models applied under one standard.

Common Mistakes That Cause Rejections

1. Incorrect scheme selection — applying under CRS when the product requires FMCS.
2. Incomplete or expired lab reports.
3. Non-notarized AIR documents or missing power of attorney.
4. Unverified product model numbers.
5. Email or address mismatch between manufacturer and documents.

Double-checking documents before submission can prevent months of delays.

Risks of Ignoring BIS Compliance

• Goods can be seized or re-exported by customs authorities.
• Companies face penalties under the BIS Act, 2016, which may include fines up to ₹5 lakh or imprisonment for repeated offences.
• Non-compliance can also lead to suspension of import licences or blacklisting by Indian buyers.

Following proper procedures from the start saves time, money, and brand reputation.

Key Advantages of BIS Certification for Importers

• Faster customs clearance — pre-verified BIS licence avoids inspection delays.
• Greater consumer trust — ISI or CRS mark assures safety and reliability.
• Market expansion — certified products can be sold to government and institutional buyers.
• Reduced operational risk — avoids penalties, shipment detention, or re-export.

In short, BIS certification isn’t just paperwork — it’s a gateway to India’s regulated and competitive market.

Conclusion

Getting BIS certification for imported goods may seem complex, but with proper guidance and preparation, it becomes a smooth process. For businesses sourcing from China, early planning — before your shipment leaves port — is the smartest move you can make.

If you’re unsure about which scheme applies to your product or need help coordinating lab tests and documentation, Green Permits can manage the entire process from start to finish.

Call +91 78350 06182
Email wecare@greenpermits.in

Book a consultation with a compliance specialist.