Import Compliance in India: BIS, FSSAI, WPC, CDSCO, EPR

Import compliance in India: BIS, FSSAI, CDSCO, WPC and EPR

For importers6 min readUpdated 4 October 2026

The short answer

Beyond duty, many products need approval from other agencies before or at import into India: BIS certification for notified goods, FSSAI for food, CDSCO for medical devices and drugs, WPC approval for wireless equipment, quarantine clearance for agricultural goods and EPR registration for e-waste, plastic packaging or batteries. Import policy adds another layer.

The main regimes, at a glance

Common import compliance regimes in India (check current rules for your product)
Regime	Typically relevant to	Who administers it
BIS certification (including the Compulsory Registration Scheme)	Notified products such as certain electronics and goods covered by quality control orders	Bureau of Indian Standards
FSSAI import clearance	Food products and certain food-related items	Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
CDSCO registration or licence	Medical devices, drugs and cosmetics	Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation
WPC / Equipment Type Approval	Radio and wireless equipment	Wireless Planning and Coordination wing, Department of Telecommunications
Plant and animal quarantine	Plants, seeds, agricultural produce, animal products	Plant and animal quarantine authorities
EPR registration	Electronic waste, plastic packaging, batteries and similar categories	Central or State Pollution Control Boards

Import policy: the other layer

Separately from those regimes, every tariff item has an import policy status set by DGFT. Free means no licence is needed for import (other regimes may still apply). Restricted means you need an authorisation or licence. Prohibited means import isn't allowed, and State Trading means only designated agencies may import.

How to check before you order

Identify the HSN code

Almost every requirement attaches to a product category identified by code.

Check the import policy status

Confirm the item isn't restricted, prohibited or state-traded.

Check each regime that could apply

Look at BIS, FSSAI, CDSCO, WPC, quarantine and EPR for the product. A product can fall under more than one.

Ask the supplier for certificates and test reports

Many registrations need documents or lab reports from the manufacturer.

Confirm with your customs house agent

Your CHA knows what port officers ask for in practice.

Why this belongs in your cost model

Compliance has a cost in fees, testing, time and sometimes label or packaging changes. Goods that arrive without the required approval can sit at the port, accruing demurrage, until the issue is solved or they're re-exported. TradeEdge AI shows the compliance checks that apply to a product, marking what is confirmed and what needs a human decision.

Questions answered

Which imports need BIS certification in India?

Products covered by BIS quality control orders and the Compulsory Registration Scheme, which include certain electronics and a range of other goods. The list changes by notification, so check your product's HSN code against the current requirements before ordering.

Do I need FSSAI approval to import food?

Yes, food products generally need FSSAI import clearance, and the importer typically needs an FSSAI licence. Requirements depend on the product category, so confirm them before placing the order.

What is WPC approval and who needs it?

WPC refers to the Wireless Planning and Coordination wing of the Department of Telecommunications. Radio and wireless equipment generally needs Equipment Type Approval before import or sale. Check whether your device's radio components fall under it.

What does 'Restricted' mean in import policy?

It means the item can be imported only with an authorisation or licence from DGFT. 'Free' items need no licence, though other compliance regimes may still apply, 'Prohibited' items can't be imported, and 'State Trading' items only through designated agencies.