MeitY Issues HSE Exemption FAQs Under CRS

MeitY has issued an FAQs explaining the Highly Specialised Equipment (HSE) exemption under the Compulsory Registration Order (CRO) 2021. This note summarises what it means for manufacturers/ importers of electronic and IT equipment. 

In short: The HSE exemption is a special-purpose pass, not a blanket exemption. It is specific to a model and calendar year, capped by quantity, across all locations and conditional on proper authorisation and safety documentation. Apply on the ICEGATE portal & get the HSE Certificate before you import. 

Briefly:

Granting authority	Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
Where to apply	Online, on the ICEGATE portal, before the goods are imported.   Link: www.icegate.gov.in
Fee	None. No application or processing fee.
Quantity limit	Below 100 units per regulatory model per calendar year, across all locations in India. For more than 100 units, CRS certification is mandatory.
Certificate required before or after the import	During the import, Indian Customs will verify the HSE Certificate.
Validity	Until the end of the relevant calendar year; valid at all customs ports in India.
Who may apply	Any entity having a valid IEC code & valid authorisation letter issued by the Authorised Signatory of the Brand Owner.

Major Conditions for an Equipment to fall under the HSE Criteria: 

Technical criteria: 

The product must be a notified electronic or IT product covered by the CRO, as specified in Gazette Notification S.O. 1246(E), dated 10 March 2026. It must also meet at least ONE of the following criteria: 

• Power: powered by a three-phase supply; or 

• Current: powered by a single-phase supply with a current rating above 16 amperes; or 

• Size: dimensions exceeding 1.5 m x 0.8 m; or 

• Weight: weight exceeding 80 kg.  

Quantity Criteria: 

100 units per model per calendar year across all locations.  

Before you apply, here is a quick checklist: 

• Confirm that the product category is covered by the CRO. 

• Check the specification sheet against at least one HSE criterion (power, current, size, or weight). 

• Confirm planned volume stays below 100 units per regulatory model for the calendar year, across all locations in India. 

• Have the Brand Owner’s authorisation letter and your IEC ready, along with the required safety documentation. 

• Finalise the model and quantity, then apply on the ICEGATE portal before the shipment is imported.

However, if the product does not fall under the HSE Guidelines OR the quantity exceeds 100 no. (s) for a calendar year, the OEM must apply for the BIS certification under CRO to have a hassle-free clearance. 

 For more information, you can download the following notification below:

• HSE FAQ original notification
• User Manual link

This note is a summary of general information. Please refer to the official MeitY notification and FAQs for the authoritative text. 

---

Contact Us

Looking for reliable regulatory compliance solutions, consulting, or testing services?

Get in touch with Vincular. As one of India’s leading regulatory compliance service providers, we bring 12+ years of experience to help businesses understand regulatory requirements, stay compliant, and move forward with confidence.

---

Follow Us & Stay Updated!

Indian regulatory compliance can be overwhelming, especially when you’re unsure when a new update will be issued, when a compliance deadline is approaching, or whether an extension has been announced.

Don’t let important compliance news, regulatory updates, amendments, and deadlines catch you off guard. Stay informed with Vincular’s regular updates and insights.