The move is expected to help downstream industries ramp up production and could also benefit manufacturers in China, which remains a key supplier in several affected categories.
According to an order by the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), reviewed by Mint, imports covered by specified QCOs can be cleared without BIS certification if they are shipped before the relevant implementation dates and the bill of entry is filed within 180 days.
The exemption applies to QCOs implemented between July 2024 and October 2025. These products include aluminum and aluminum alloys, commercial vending appliances, flashlights, hinges, electric fence sources, air coolers, washing machines, domestic water heaters, plywood, recessed doors, wood-based boards, laminates, copper products, V-belts (rubber motors, fans and glass bottles, water machines and water belts). dispensers.
Importers must provide copies of the “bill of lading” and supporting documents to BIS within seven days of approval, the order said.
Government officials emphasized that the easing is strictly temporary and will not dilute quality standards going forward. “Future imports will continue to require BIS certification under the respective QCOs,” said a government official requesting anonymity.
Industry executives said several shipments shipped ahead of QCO deadlines faced compliance uncertainty, raising concerns about downtime costs and blocked working capital.
Queries sent to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs remained unanswered as of press time.
“The exemption provides a transitional window to clear such cargo without interruption, which is especially beneficial for importers who depend on Chinese supply chains,” an executive at a major consumer goods company said on condition of anonymity.
The government’s decision is a pragmatic move that balances quality enforcement with trade facilitation, said Vinod Kumar, president of the SME Forum. “For many SMEs, especially those dependent on imported components and intermediates, this will ease immediate pressures on working capital and prevent supply chain disruptions. At the same time, maintaining clear timelines for future compliance will ensure that long-term quality standards and fair competition are not compromised,” Kumar said.
Temporary waiver
China remains a major supplier in several affected categories, including aluminum and aluminum alloy products, electrical appliances, lamps, footwear and other industrial and consumer goods.
India’s imports from China increased from $101.74 billion in FY24 to $113.45 billion in FY25. In the first 10 months of the current fiscal year (FY26), total imports from China stood at $108.18 billion, according to Commerce Department data.
In various aluminum import categories, the United Arab Emirates emerged as the largest supplier with $648 million, followed by Malaysia with $515 million. Other key sources included South Korea ($222.73 million), Bahrain ($174.23 million), Qatar ($148.04 million) and Oman ($91.76 million).
While China emerges as a major sourcing country in many of these categories, other key sourcing countries for electrical appliances and consumer durables include Vietnam and Thailand; Malaysia and Indonesia for plywood, laminates and wood-based panels; Italy and Germany for specialized machine parts, sales equipment and industrial quality products; and Japan and South Korea for high-end electrical and engineering goods.
In categories such as V-belts, water meters and electric fence sources, imports are scattered across China, the European Union and selected Southeast Asian economies. Bottled water dispensers and home appliances are also seeing inflows from Turkey and parts of Eastern Europe, although China remains the main supplier.
Manraj Singh, owner of Woodbay India in Yamuna Nagar, Haryana, said the release of plywood, recessed doors, wood-based boards and laminates would provide short-term relief to importers and traders whose shipments were already in transit, but should not weaken the broader push for quality enforcement.
“Yamuna Nagar is one of the largest wood processing clusters in the country and domestic manufacturers have invested heavily to meet BIS standards. Any relaxation must remain strictly transitional. While pre-shipment clearing is understandable to avoid losses, long-term enforcement of QCO is essential to ensure a level playing field and protect consumers from substandard imports,” Singh said.