CBIC: BIS Compulsory Registration for Smartphone Screen Protectors Effective 1 April 2027

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Dated: 09.10.2026

CBIC: BIS Compulsory Registration for Smartphone Screen Protectors Effective 1 April 2027

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), through Instruction No. 20/2026-Customs dated 7 October 2026, has informed Customs field formations about an important amendment to the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021.

The amendment, notified by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) through Gazette Notification S.O. 5190(E) dated 21 September 2026, brings screen protectors for smartphones within the scope of the compulsory registration framework.

The newly covered products have been included at Serial No. 66 of the Schedule to the 2021 Order, with IS 19348:2025 — Glass Screen Protector — Specification prescribed as the applicable Indian Standard.

The amended requirements will become applicable from 1 April 2027, providing a transition period for affected businesses to prepare for compliance.

The development is particularly relevant for importers, foreign manufacturers, domestic manufacturers, distributors and businesses engaged in the smartphone accessories sector.

Background: Electronics and Information Technology Goods Compulsory Registration Order, 2021

The Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021 establishes a compulsory conformity framework for specified electronic and information technology products.
Products brought within its Schedule are required to comply with the applicable Indian Standards and the prescribed registration requirements.
The framework is administered through the relevant regulatory arrangements involving MeitY and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
The objective is to ensure that products covered by the Order satisfy prescribed quality and conformity requirements before being placed in the Indian market.
Over time, additional products have been brought within the scope of compulsory registration through amendments to the Schedule.
The latest amendment extends the framework to smartphone screen protectors.

MeitY Notification S.O. 5190(E) Dated 21 September 2026

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology issued Gazette Notification S.O. 5190(E) on 21 September 2026, amending the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021.
The amendment introduces a new product category at Serial No. 66 of the Schedule.

The relevant particulars are as follows:

Particulars	Details
Product category	Screen Protectors for smartphones
Serial number in Schedule	66
Applicable Indian Standard	IS 19348:2025
Title of Indian Standard	Glass Screen Protector — Specification
Parent regulatory order	Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021
Amending notification	S.O. 5190(E), dated 21 September 2026
CBIC Instruction	20/2026-Customs, dated 7 October 2026
Date of applicability	1 April 2027

The amendment means that the newly listed goods will become subject to the conformity requirements of the 2021 Order from the notified effective date.

IS 19348:2025 — Glass Screen Protector Specification

The Indian Standard prescribed for the newly included product category is IS 19348:2025, titled Glass Screen Protector — Specification.
The standard provides the technical reference against which conformity of products falling within the notified scope will be assessed.
The CBIC Instruction identifies the standard but does not reproduce its detailed technical requirements, testing methods, acceptance criteria or marking provisions.
Accordingly, manufacturers and importers should examine the complete Indian Standard and the applicable BIS registration procedures before determining the testing and certification requirements for their products.
Particular attention should be given to identifying the precise products covered by the notified description.
Although the Schedule uses the expression “Screen Protectors for smartphones”, the prescribed Indian Standard is specifically titled “Glass Screen Protector — Specification”.
Businesses dealing in tempered-glass, flexible-film, plastic, hybrid or other screen-protection products should therefore verify the applicability of the notified standard to their particular products rather than assuming that every type of screen protector is automatically covered in the same manner.

Effective Date: 1 April 2027

One of the most significant aspects of the notification is the prospective implementation date.
Paragraph 3 of CBIC Instruction No. 20/2026-Customs clarifies that the provisions of the 2021 Order will apply to the newly listed goods for conformity with the specified Indian Standard with effect from 1 April 2027.

This provides a defined period for manufacturers and importers to assess their regulatory obligations.
Businesses should use this period to evaluate product coverage, technical conformity, testing arrangements and the applicable registration process.
The instruction does not independently specify transitional exemptions for goods manufactured, shipped, imported or held in inventory before the effective date.
Any such treatment would need to be determined from the governing notification, applicable regulatory provisions and subsequent clarifications, if issued.

CBIC Directs Customs Field Formations to Ensure Compliance

CBIC has circulated the amendment to Customs authorities across India.
The instruction is addressed to Principal Chief Commissioners, Chief Commissioners, Principal Commissioners and Commissioners of Customs, as well as the relevant Directorates under CBIC.
Paragraph 4 specifically advises field formations to take note of the amendment and ensure that the provisions of the MeitY notification are considered for necessary action.
This communication is important because Customs authorities are responsible for examining the applicability of import restrictions and regulatory requirements at the time of clearance.
Following commencement of the amended requirements, imports falling within the notified product scope may be subject to scrutiny for compliance with the compulsory registration framework.
The exact documentation and verification requirements must be determined in accordance with the governing Order and applicable Customs procedures.

Implications for Importers of Smartphone Screen Protectors

The amendment has direct implications for businesses importing smartphone screen protectors into India.

1. Product Coverage Assessment

Importers should first determine whether the products they import fall within the newly notified category.
Product descriptions, composition, manufacturing specifications, commercial literature and technical documents may be relevant for this assessment.
The distinction between glass screen protectors and other screen-protection materials requires particular attention.

2. BIS Registration Requirements

Where a product falls within the notified scope, the importer should coordinate with the manufacturer to establish the applicable BIS registration requirements.
Under the compulsory registration framework, the relevant manufacturing entity and product must satisfy the prescribed regulatory conditions.
Importers should verify the applicable registration arrangements rather than treating a supplier’s general quality certificate as equivalent to BIS registration.

3. Foreign Manufacturer Compliance

Foreign manufacturers supplying covered smartphone screen protectors to India should evaluate their eligibility and obligations under the applicable BIS registration framework.
The necessary conformity assessment may require product testing and submission of prescribed documentation.
Foreign manufacturers should also review any applicable requirements concerning authorised Indian representatives and registration particulars.

4. Customs Clearance Documentation

Importers should maintain accurate product descriptions and supporting technical documentation.
Where compulsory registration applies, the relevant registration and conformity details may become important for Customs clearance.
Incorrect product descriptions or incomplete compliance documentation may result in scrutiny, delay or other consequences under the applicable law.

5. Advance Planning for Imports

Businesses planning shipments close to 1 April 2027 should carefully examine the date on which the amended requirements become applicable and any transitional provisions or official clarifications.
The date of purchase order, shipment or invoice should not be assumed to determine exemption from the amended requirements.

Implications for Domestic Manufacturers

Domestic manufacturers of smartphone screen protectors should also assess the applicability of the amendment.
Manufacturers whose products fall within the notified scope should evaluate the applicable technical standard and registration requirements before the effective date.
The compliance exercise may involve product testing, technical documentation, identification of manufacturing premises and verification of product models or variants.
Manufacturers should also ensure that their product labels, packaging and regulatory declarations comply with the requirements applicable to registered products.
Where several models or variants are manufactured, the applicable BIS grouping and testing rules should be reviewed.
The CBIC Instruction itself does not prescribe model-grouping criteria or detailed registration procedures.

Customs Tariff Classification and HSN Considerations

The notification identifies the covered goods by product description and the applicable Indian Standard.

CBIC Instruction No. 20/2026-Customs does not prescribe any specific Customs Tariff Heading, HSN code or eight-digit tariff classification for smartphone screen protectors.

Accordingly, importers should not assume that the compulsory registration requirement applies exclusively to a particular HSN code.
The appropriate Customs classification must be determined separately under the Customs Tariff Act, 1975, applying the relevant tariff headings, Section Notes, Chapter Notes and General Rules for Interpretation.
The product’s composition, characteristics and intended use may be relevant to classification.

Importers should therefore undertake two separate assessments:

Tariff classification: Identification of the appropriate Customs Tariff Heading and applicable duty treatment.
Regulatory applicability: Determination of whether the imported goods fall within the product description notified under the compulsory registration framework.

These assessments are related but legally distinct.

A product’s declared HSN code should not be treated as conclusive evidence that BIS requirements do or do not apply.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Once the amended requirements become applicable, businesses dealing in covered products will need to comply with the governing compulsory registration provisions.
Non-compliance may have consequences under the applicable BIS legislation, the 2021 Order and relevant Customs provisions.
For imported goods, failure to satisfy an applicable compulsory conformity requirement may create difficulties in obtaining Customs clearance.
Depending upon the facts and the applicable statutory provisions, enforcement action may also arise where goods are imported or marketed contrary to mandatory regulatory requirements.
However, the CBIC Instruction does not independently prescribe a new penalty, confiscation provision or separate Customs offence.
Any enforcement action must therefore be founded upon the applicable statutory framework rather than the instruction alone.

Compliance Checklist for Importers and Manufacturers

Businesses dealing in smartphone screen protectors should consider the following steps before 1 April 2027:

Identify all screen-protector products manufactured, imported or marketed.
Examine whether the products fall within the notified description at Serial No. 66.
Obtain and review the applicable Indian Standard, IS 19348:2025.
Determine the relevant BIS registration and testing requirements.
Coordinate with domestic or foreign manufacturers regarding conformity assessment.
Review product specifications, materials, variants and manufacturing details.
Verify the documentation required for the applicable registration process.
Review Customs Tariff classification independently of BIS applicability.
Ensure that purchase contracts and supply arrangements allocate responsibility for regulatory compliance.
Monitor further clarifications from MeitY, BIS and CBIC before the implementation date.

Early compliance planning can help businesses reduce the risk of shipment delays, documentation deficiencies and regulatory disputes.

Important Distinction: CBIC Instruction Versus MeitY Notification

It is important to distinguish the legal role of the two instruments.

MeitY Notification S.O. 5190(E), dated 21 September 2026, is the instrument identified by CBIC as amending the Schedule to the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021.
CBIC Instruction No. 20/2026-Customs, dated 7 October 2026, communicates the amendment to Customs field formations and directs them to take the notification into account.
Thus, the substantive inclusion of smartphone screen protectors originates from the MeitY amendment, while the CBIC Instruction addresses its implementation within Customs administration.
The instruction should not be interpreted as independently creating a new product standard or amending the Customs Tariff.

Conclusion

CBIC Instruction No. 20/2026-Customs marks an important regulatory development for the smartphone accessories industry.

By communicating the inclusion of smartphone screen protectors under the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021, CBIC has alerted Customs authorities to the forthcoming compulsory conformity requirements.

The amendment introduces IS 19348:2025 — Glass Screen Protector — Specification as the applicable Indian Standard, with implementation scheduled for 1 April 2027.

Importers and manufacturers should use the intervening period to review product coverage, technical requirements, BIS registration procedures and Customs documentation.

Particular care should be taken to distinguish the scope of the notified product category from the title of the prescribed Indian Standard and to assess tariff classification separately from compulsory registration applicability. The amendment reinforces the importance of integrating BIS conformity assessment with import planning and regulatory compliance for products entering the Indian market.

In case you face any issues related to Indirect Tax-Customs, GST, Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), Arbitration matters and Central Licensing and related advisory matters in India then please feel free to get in touch with SJ EXIM Services.

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Source: CBIC, Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India

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