BIS Certification for Imports from China in 2026

What to check before ordering electrical appliances and furniture

You have found the product. The price works. Your supplier is ready to start production. Before you pay the advance, there is one more question to answer: can this product enter India with the approvals it needs?

This is an important check for Indian traders importing trimmers, shavers, hair dryers, hair straighteners, massagers or furniture from China.

A supplier may offer a competitive price and promise quick delivery. But if the product requires BIS certification and the necessary approval is missing, your shipment could face problems when it reaches India.

Checking these details after production can leave you with goods that are difficult to import and money already committed.

This guide explains BIS certification for imports from China in 2026, which products need attention, and what to verify with your supplier before confirming an order.

Is BIS Certification Compulsory for Imports from China?

Not every product imported from China requires BIS certification.

BIS stands for the Bureau of Indian Standards. It sets standards for products sold in India and operates certification schemes to help ensure that specified products meet those requirements.

For certain products, BIS certification becomes mandatory under government notifications known as Quality Control Orders (QCOs).

Whether certification is required depends on:

• The exact product and its intended use
• The government notification covering that product
• The date the requirement became applicable
• Any valid exemption or special condition

For example, a rechargeable trimmer and a hair straightener may both be electrical grooming products, but their certification requirements are not necessarily the same.

The important thing is to check the exact product rather than assume every electrical appliance follows one rule.

You can check the official BIS compulsory certification list to understand which products are covered.

BIS Rules for Electrical Appliances in 2026

The Indian government introduced the Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances Quality Control Order, 2026, replacing the earlier 2025 order.

The general implementation date is 1 October 2026.

The order covers several household and commercial electrical appliances, including specified battery-operated products.

Some examples relevant to China importers include:

• Electric shavers
• Hair clippers
• Battery-operated trimmers
• Electric massage appliances
• Other covered household and commercial electrical products

The notification also provides later implementation dates for qualifying small and micro enterprises. However, an Indian importer should not assume these extensions automatically apply to products manufactured by a Chinese factory.

Another important point is that some electrical appliances already have separate mandatory BIS requirements. Those products must be checked under their own applicable rules.

If your supplier manufactures several product types, request certification details for each category before placing the order.

What About Hair Dryers and Hair Straighteners?

Hair dryers, hair straighteners and similar hair-care appliances need separate attention.

These products have their own BIS certification requirements, which were already applicable before the October 2026 electrical-appliance update.

This means you should not assume that a hair straightener follows the same compliance timeline as a battery-operated trimmer.

For example, if you are buying 1,000 hair dryers and 1,000 rechargeable trimmers from the same Chinese supplier, ask for the certification details covering each product.

One BIS licence does not automatically approve everything in a manufacturer’s catalogue.

Check the exact products, manufacturer details and approved licence scope before making a payment.

BIS Certification Requirements for Furniture Imports from China

Furniture is another category Indian importers need to check carefully.

The Furniture Quality Control Order, 2025 introduced mandatory certification requirements for specified furniture products, with its general implementation taking effect in February 2026.

The six covered furniture categories are:

1. Work chairs
2. General-purpose chairs and stools
3. Tables and desks
4. Storage units
5. Beds
6. Bunk beds

Each category has its own applicable Indian Standard.

Suppose you are importing office chairs and desks from the same manufacturer in China. Even if the supplier provides a valid BIS licence for chairs, that does not automatically establish certification for desks.

Ask the manufacturer for the relevant licence details and confirm that the products you intend to purchase are covered.

This is especially important for wholesalers, furniture retailers and businesses placing bulk orders for the Indian market.

Are There Any BIS Exemptions for Furniture Imports?

Certain exemptions and transitional provisions have been introduced through amendments to the furniture certification rules.

These apply only in specific circumstances, such as qualifying research imports, particular export-related imports or shipments meeting earlier transitional conditions.

However, these provisions are not a general exemption for new commercial furniture orders from China.

If a supplier claims that a product can be imported without BIS certification, ask for the relevant government notification and supporting documents.

Do not rely only on a verbal assurance or a message stating that certification is unnecessary.

For a fresh commercial order, confirm the applicable requirements before approving production.

Who Is Responsible for BIS Certification: The Importer or the Chinese Manufacturer?

This is an important question for Indian businesses working with Chinese suppliers.

Under the usual Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS), the foreign manufacturer applies for the BIS licence.

The licence is connected to the manufacturer, the relevant product standard and the manufacturing location.

A Chinese trading company may sell products from several factories, but a document belonging to one factory does not automatically cover products made elsewhere.

Before ordering, ask your supplier:

• Who is the actual manufacturer?
• Where is the factory located?
• Does the factory hold the required BIS licence?
• Does the licence cover the product you are purchasing?

If you are unsure whether a Chinese supplier is genuine, read our guide on how to find verified China suppliers for Indian businesses.

Checking the manufacturer early is easier than trying to resolve certification problems after production.

Six BIS Checks to Complete Before Paying Your Chinese Supplier

Before confirming an order, complete these six checks.

1. Get the Exact Product Details

Start by collecting the product specifications from your supplier.

Ask for the product name, model number, photographs, dimensions and intended use.

For electrical appliances, confirm whether the product uses electricity directly, has a rechargeable battery or comes with a charger.

For furniture, check the product type, dimensions and materials.

A description such as “rechargeable grooming kit” is not enough to identify every applicable requirement.

2. Check Whether BIS Certification Is Required

Once you have the product details, check whether the item falls under a mandatory BIS certification requirement.

Use the official BIS website and the relevant government notification.

Do not assume that certification is unnecessary simply because you imported a similar item previously.

Product specifications, certification requirements and implementation dates may change.

3. Verify the Supplier’s BIS Licence

If certification is required, ask the supplier for the BIS licence number and complete approved product scope.

You can use the official BIS Care App to verify licence details. It also offers registration-number verification for products covered under the separate Compulsory Registration Scheme.

Check whether the licence is genuine and whether the information matches the manufacturer’s documents.

A certificate screenshot shared over WhatsApp should not be your only source of verification.

4. Confirm That Your Product Is Covered

A genuine BIS licence is a good starting point, but you still need to check what it covers.

Compare the manufacturer name, factory address and approved product details with your order.

For example, imagine you are ordering two rechargeable trimmer models. Your supplier provides a valid BIS licence, but the approved scope does not clearly cover one of those models.

In that situation, ask for clarification before approving production.

The same approach applies to furniture and other regulated product categories.

5. Check Product Labels and Documents Before Production

Ask your supplier to share the proposed product labels, packaging details and relevant certification documents.

Confirm that the required markings are appropriate for the product and its applicable certification scheme.

Keep the agreed product specifications, factory details and documentation requirements in your purchase order.

This reduces the risk of receiving goods or paperwork that differ from what you originally approved.

6. Recheck Everything Before Dispatch

Before the shipment leaves China, compare the final goods and documents with your approved order.

Confirm that the manufacturer, product details and licence information are consistent.

If something has changed during production, resolve it before dispatch.

If a mandatory licence has not yet been issued, do not assume that an application or supplier promise is enough to ship the goods.

What Should You Ask Your Supplier Before Confirming an Order?

You can send your supplier this message:

“Before we confirm the order, please share the manufacturer’s name, factory address, product specifications, model numbers, applicable BIS licence details and approved product scope. Please also share the proposed product and packaging labels. If you believe BIS certification is not required for this product, please provide the relevant government notification or supporting documents.”

This gives your supplier a clear list of the information you need before making a final purchasing decision.

Three Supplier Responses You Should Verify Carefully

“We already have CE certification.”

CE documentation does not automatically establish compliance with mandatory BIS requirements in India. Ask for the relevant Indian certification details.

“We have already applied for BIS certification.”

Submitting an application is not the same as receiving an approved licence. Confirm the current application status and whether the product can legally be imported under the applicable rules.

“We exported the same product to India last year.”

Previous shipments do not guarantee that a new order meets today’s requirements. Certification status, product specifications or government rules may have changed.

These responses do not necessarily mean a supplier is unreliable. They simply mean you need more information before proceeding.

Plan Your Import Timeline Around Certification

BIS certification can take time, especially when a foreign manufacturer needs to apply for a new licence.

The FMCS process can involve reviewing the application, inspecting the manufacturing facility and testing product samples.

BIS guidance describes a typical process taking several months, although the actual duration depends on the application and required approvals.

If you need products for an upcoming sales season, ask about certification before agreeing on the delivery date.

A supplier who has not started the necessary process may not be able to meet your timeline.

You should also consider any applicable testing, inspection and documentation expenses when calculating your purchasing budget.

The supplier’s quotation is only one part of your total import cost.

For more information, read our guide to import duty on products from China to India.

Planning to Import Electrical Appliances or Furniture from China?

Before paying your supplier, make sure the product specifications, manufacturer details and required certification documents are clear.

At Surti & Co, we help Indian businesses with China product sourcing, supplier verification, shipping coordination and customs documentation.

Whether you are planning to import grooming appliances, furniture or other commercial products, you can share your product details, expected quantity, supplier information and delivery requirements with our team.

We can discuss your sourcing and import requirements before you commit to the order.

Contact Surti & Co to discuss your planned import from China.

Frequently Asked Questions