Step By Step Guide To Get BIS Certification For Importers

BIS certification is a mandatory compliance requirement for a variety of imported products in India. It is a mark of quality assurance that verifies that the product complies with Indian safety and performance standards. For importers, obtaining certification of BIS can be a difficult and lengthy process, but it is essential to ensure that their products conform to Indian regulatory standards. But before that let's know what is certification of BIS is, then will have an overview of BIS licenses for importers.

What is a BIS license & certification?

The certificate for bis is a mark of approval issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards to prove to a third party the quality assurance, dependability, safety, and reliability of products intended for consumer use. BIS issues licenses to manufacturers who satisfy the requirements for the public interest, protection of human, animal, or plant health, environmental safety, combating unfair trade practices, and national security.

Overview of BIS Certification for Imports

The mandatory Indian Quality Requirements, which also apply to domestic goods, must be followed while importing any of the products listed in Appendix III to Schedule I of the ITC (HS) Export and Import Items Classifications. To comply with this requirement, all producers/exporters of such items to India must register with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). It is necessary to import certain products with certification of BIS. Alternatively, if all of the following conditions are satisfied, the BIS Product Certification Scheme for Indian Importers would permit the certification of goods under binding Indian quality standards:

• For captive consumption, articles are needed.
• There is a constant demand for products.
• A pre-identified source is used to derive the objects.

The Indian importers will need to submit a permit application to the BIS for each of the notified products they wish to import. BIS would register the submission once it was certain that all of the aforementioned conditions had been satisfied and that the applicant importer had built the test facilities. Based on the recording of the application, Customs may release the consignment, which will be examined by the BIS, and issue the license if the goods comply with the pertinent Indian norm. The importer can only use the material after receiving the permit for the first lot thus imported and for future imports after verifying the commodity for compliance with the Indian Standard. If the recipient of the gift is a charitable, religious, or educational organization registered in accordance with the law related to the registration of companies or trusts or otherwise authorized by the federal or state government, the conditions outlined above shall not apply to the importation of gifts. In addition, the gift sought to be imported must have been exempt from payment of customs duties by the Ministry of Finance. Cylinders and valves may be imported without having to comply with the requirements outlined in Appendix III to Schedule 1 of the ITC (HS) Classifications of export and import products.

Why is a certificate for bis required for Importers?

• One of the main reasons to obtain a BIS certificate is to assure that a product is safe for the final consumer. This certificate is a mark of safety and conformity.
• If your product fits under the mandatory product category, you are required to obtain a certificate; otherwise, the Indian market will refuse to accept your goods.
• An importer can get a competitive edge over its rivals by obtaining a BIS certificate, regardless of the products being imported—whether they are toys, batteries, cattle feed, kitchen equipment, or anything else covered by BIS.
• This certificate indicates that a product has been tested and has complied with the required standards, which acts as a mark of quality or high standards.
• One of a BIS certificate's biggest benefits is its simple market access. Knowing why an importer requires a certificate of BIS now, let's look at the type of certificate an importer would require.

Types of certificate for bis for Importers

Depending on the type of product, there are two different BIS registration and certificate available for importers.

Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS)

An imported product must adhere to the established BIS-defined standards in order to be registered under the compulsory registration scheme. A product's compliance will also be declared once testing, analysis, and documentation have been completed. The order states that if a product does not meet BIS requirements, no importer is permitted to sell or distribute it in the Indian market. Products in the electronics and IT sectors are covered by this scheme.

Product covered under CRS :

• Microwave oven
• Set-top box
• Mobile phone
• Keyboard
• Smartwatch
• LED light
• Digital camera
• Passport reader
• Laptop
• Notebook
• Tablet
• Smart card readers

Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS)

Under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS), the BIS issues a certification of bis to foreign applicants or manufacturers within six months. In order to allow international applicants to receive and use the ISI mark on their products, the FMCS system was initially created in 2000. All products can receive certification under this scheme, with the exception of the MeitY-notified electronics and IT equipment. The FMCD (Foreign Manufacturers Certification Department) is located at the BIS headquarters in New Delhi and issues certificates of the FMCS scheme.

Product covered under FMCS :

1. Batteries
2. Food and food-related products
3. Aluminum foil
4. Medical equipment
5. Cattle feed
6. Kitchen Appliances
7. Electric transformers
8. Oil pressure stove
9. Electric motors
10. Cables
11. Chemicals and fertilizers

Steps to get register bis online for importers

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to obtain certification of BIS for importers.

1. Identify the Applicable standards: The first step is to identify the Indian standard(s) applicable to the product(s) you are importing. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) website has extensive information on the relevant standards and requirements. Alternatively, you can hire a consultant to identify the applicable standards for you.
2. Contact an Authorized Indian BIS agency: The next step is to find an authorized Indian BIS agency that handles testing and certification of the products related to your industry. BIS maintains a list of authorized agencies on its website, and you can also find a list of third-party agencies through other sources.
3. Submit the application for registration: The importer has to submit an application for registration to the BIS agency for which he needs certificate for bis. The application should be complete in all respects and must contain all the required information such as the product details, manufacturer details, and testing requirements.
4. Provide samples: After submitting the application, the importer must provide samples of the products to the authorized BIS agency for testing purposes. The sample quantity and size will depend on the standard to which the product is being tested.
5. Testing of samples: Once the samples are received by the BIS agency, they will conduct the testing process as per the relevant standard. The testing process is the most crucial stage of the certification process, and it may take several weeks to complete.
6. BIS Certification: If the product meets the relevant standards, the BIS agency will issue a certificate of conformity. This certificate signifies that the product has passed all the necessary tests and meets all the safety and performance standards.

List of Documents required to register with BIS for Importers

1. Company's PAN Card
2. Import Export Code (IEC) issued by the Director General of Foreign Trade
3. A copy of the Memorandum of Association (MOA) and Articles of Association (AOA) or Partnership Deed
4. A copy of the GST registration certificate
5. A copy of the business entity's bank statement for the past 3 months
6. Contact details, including the phone number, email id, and address of the importer
7. Details of the products to be imported, including their technical specifications, quality standards, and other relevant details.
8. Test reports, if any, from an accredited laboratory for the products to be imported
9. Details of the manufacturer, including name, address, and contact details of the manufacturer
10. Declaration on Company’s letterhead regarding compliance with standard requirements.
11. Letter from BIS-approved laboratory

5 Popular importer companies who have obtained certification of BIS

1. Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd: Samsung is a global electronics corporation based in South Korea.It has obtained bis certification online for a wide range of products, including smartphones, tablets, TVs, refrigerators, air conditioners, and washing machines. Samsung has over the years been known for producing quality electronic devices.
2. LG Electronics Inc: LG is a South Korean electronics company that produces a wide range of products, including home appliances, mobile phones, and TV sets. The company has obtained certification of BIS for many of its products.
3. Apple Inc: ALocated in Cupertino, California, Apple is a global technological company.The company has obtained BIS certificate for its various products, including iPhones, iPads, and MacBook laptops.
4. Sony Corporation: Sony is a Japanese multinational conglomerate that produces a wide range of consumer and industrial electronics products. The company has obtained certification of BIS for products such as televisions, digital cameras, home theatre systems, and mobile phones.
5. Lenovo Group Limited: Manufacturer of desktop and laptop computers, mobile devices, and tablets is Lenovo, a Chinese multinational corporation. The company has obtained certificate of BIS for its various products, including laptops and smartphones.

How is the BIS license number verified?

Take the IS No. and the license number printed on the item or package to verify the validity of the BIS licensing number. By visiting the following website, https://www.bis.gov.in/index.php/product-certification/online-information, you can confirm the license number engraved on the product.

How long is the certificate for bis valid?

After paying the advance minimum marking price, BIS registration certification under Scheme-I may be given for the first time for a maximum of 2 years. Only the kinds listed in the license are eligible for the licensing. Applications with the necessary fees and supporting documentation under the current license are required to be submitted in order to extend the license's validity and the varieties covered by it. Up to 5 years after its original expiration date, a license may be renewed.

What is the duration to get the issuance of a certification of bis ?

From the date of receipt of the entire application and its recording, the average time required for license issuance is 6 months. It may change owing to things like organizing inspections, scheduling delays in answering questions, transporting samples, and paying fees, among other things.

Without a certificate for bis, how can I import goods?

Only for testing purposes may anyone import goods samples without BIS certification. You must demonstrate to customs officials that the products you import are being used for testing, research, and development. For the same model, you may only import the sample once, and you must follow the customs clearance process. If you're importing goods for personal use, you do not need to register with BIS. The products that the end-user brings in are not subject to any limitations, according to the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (Deity). You can get in touch with us if you run into any issues obtaining BIS approval.

Conclusion

BIS Registration is required for some product importers in India. The certification assures conformity with Indian requirements and aids importers in establishing their credibility in the marketplace. Importers can obtain certification for their goods and sell them without any problems by following the process and document submission.