Key Update On Import Exemption Before Quality Control Order Implementation

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, through the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, has issued Order S.O. 776(E) on 12 February 2026, which is a major reprieve for importers and businesses dealing with goods that fall under different Quality Control Orders (QCOs).

This is an important development that allows certain imported goods to be exempted from the requirement of BIS certification if the purchase order was placed before the date of implementation of the concerned QCO. The objective is to protect businesses from suffering losses due to goods that were to be imported before the implementation of the new rules.

Understanding the Import Exemption Rule

As per this notification, the import of goods without BIS certification is possible. However, this relaxation is subject to certain conditions and is valid only if the Bill of Lading and Bill of Entry are within 180 days of the QCO implementation date, specific to the shipment, if the purchase order was placed before the QCO implementation date. This implies that if the companies have placed orders for goods before the implementation of the QCO regulation, they can still import the goods without the need for BIS compliance.

Quality Control Order Table of Import Exemption

Title of Quality Control Order	Date of Notification	Date of Implementation
Aluminium and Aluminium Alloy Products (Quality Control) Order, 2025	6 May 2025	1 October 2025
Electrical Appliances for Commercial Dispensing and Vending (Quality Control) Order, 2025	21 May 2025	1 October 2025
Flashlight (Quality Control) Order, 2025	28 January 2025	27 July 2025
Hinges (Quality Control) Order, 2025	24 March 2025	1 July 2025
Electric Fence Energisers (Quality Control) Order, 2024	19 November 2024	18 May 2025
Air Cooler and Air Filters (Quality Control) Order, 2025	30 January 2025	1 April 2025
Electrical Appliances for Domestic Clothes Washing (Quality Control) Order, 2024	5 November 2024	1 April 2025
Electrical Appliances for Skin or Hair Care (Quality Control) Order, 2023	7 March 2024	6 March 2025
Electrical Appliances for Domestic Water Heating (Quality Control) Order, 2023	21 January 2025	1 March 2025
Plywood and Wooden Flush Door Shutters (Quality Control) Order, 2024	15 March 2024	28 February 2025
Wood-Based Boards (Quality Control) Order, 2024	12 March 2024	11 February 2025
Resin Treated Compressed Wood Laminates (Quality Control) Order, 2024	5 March 2024	14 January 2025
Telescopic Ball Bearing Drawer Slide (Quality Control) Order, 2024	8 May 2024	7 November 2024
Copper Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024	26 April 2024	19 October 2024
Self-Contained Drinking Water Cooler (Quality Control) Order, 2023	28 May 2024	1 October 2024
V-Belt (Quality Control) Order, 2024	11 March 2024	10 September 2024
Water Meters and Accessories (Quality Control) Order, 2023	7 March 2024	6 September 2024
Electrical Appliances for Kitchen (Quality Control) Order, 2023	7 March 2024	6 September 2024
Electrical Appliances Fans (Quality Control) Order, 2023	7 March 2024	6 September 2024
Gypsum-Based Building Materials (Quality Control) Order, 2024	7 March 2024	6 September 2024
Asbestos or Fibre Cement Based Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024	7 March 2024	6 September 2024
Footwear Made from Leather and Other Materials (Quality Control) Order, 2024	15 March 2024	1 August 2024
Footwear Made from All Rubber and All Polymeric Material and its Components (Quality Control) Order, 2024	15 March 2024	1 August 2024
Electrical Accessories (Quality Control) Order, 2023	3 January 2024	2 July 2024
Laboratory Glassware (Quality Control) Order, 2023	3 January 2024	2 July 2024
Bottled Water Dispenser (Quality Control) Order, 2024	4 June 2024	1 July 2024

Purpose of the Government Notification

The government brought in this exemption to facilitate a smooth transition process for new regulatory requirements. Many companies place international orders months prior to delivery, and new requirements for compliance could result in delivery delays, losses, or blocked consignments. The notification supports trade continuity while ensuring the long-term goal of quality and safety for products as per BIS regulations.

Conclusion

The Order S.O. 776(E) brings in a significant transitional relief provision for companies impacted by new Quality Control Orders. This ensures that products ordered before the implementation of the new rules are not punished for the new BIS requirements, as long as the importers comply with the documentation and timeline requirements.
Companies can take advantage of this exemption by submitting the necessary documents to BIS within seven days and by ensuring that the shipment dates are within the 180-day timeline.

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Anushka Pandey

Content Writer

She is an experienced content writer at ERCS Pvt. Ltd., an organization that assists companies with certification and regulatory support. She writes informative content on government certificatio...

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Key Update On Import Exemption Before Quality Control Order Implementation

Understanding the Import Exemption Rule