Key highlights
A foreign manufacturer exporting notified products to India needs a BIS licence in its own factory's name. ISI-mark goods are licensed under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS), which takes about six months and needs an Authorised Indian Representative and a USD 10,000 bank guarantee. Electronics and IT goods are registered under CRS instead.
- ISI-mark products: FMCS licence. Electronics and IT products: CRS registration.
- An Authorised Indian Representative (AIR), resident in India, is mandatory.
- FMCS fees are the same as for Indian factories, paid in USD (SAARC countries may pay in INR).
- A USD 10,000 performance bank guarantee is due right after an FMCS licence is granted.
- FMCS grant generally takes about six months from a complete application.
Key Facts for Foreign manufacturers
- Licence holder
- The foreign manufacturing unit, for the factory named on the licence.
- Time for an ISI mark licence
- About six months from the date BIS records a complete application.
- Time for CRS registration
- BIS normally grants registration within 20 working days of a complete application with a valid test report.
- Products covered
- 796
- Last verified
BIS Process for Foreign manufacturers: ISI Mark and CRS
FMCS licence (ISI mark)
The Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme licenses factories outside India for products other than electronics and IT goods. BIS visits the factory, draws samples and tests them in India.
Licence holder: The foreign manufacturing unit, for the factory named on the licence.
Steps
- 1
Confirm the standard and scheme
Check the product's Indian Standard and that it is under the ISI mark, not CRS.
- 2
Nominate an Authorised Indian Representative
An Indian resident who represents the factory in India and shares responsibility for compliance.
- 3
Apply on Manak Online
Submit the application, documents and fees. From 1 June 2026, BIS accepts FMCS applications online only.
- 4
Factory visit by BIS
BIS officers verify the manufacturing and testing infrastructure and draw samples.
- 5
Testing in India
Samples are tested independently in India. The applicant arranges safe delivery of the samples and pays the testing charges.
- 6
Grant and undertakings
Pay the licence fee and advance marking fee, sign the agreement and indemnity bond, and furnish a USD 10,000 performance bank guarantee.
- Timeline
- About six months from the date BIS records a complete application.
- Validity
- Granted for 1 to 2 years. Renewable for up to 5 years at a time.
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | ₹1K | Non-refundable, paid when applying. |
| Factory inspection charges | ₹7K | Per man-day of BIS visit. |
| Annual licence fee | ₹1K | Paid on grant and at each renewal. |
| Annual minimum marking fee | Set per product | BIS sets this for each Indian Standard. Half is paid with the application and the balance when the licence is granted. Concessions for MSEs are notified by BIS. |
| Performance bank guarantee | USD 10,000 | From a bank with an RBI-approved branch in India, after grant. |
| Sample testing | As per lab | Paid by the applicant. |
Government fees exclude GST. BIS revises fees by notification.
Documents
- Application with the documents in BIS's FMCS checklist
- AIR nomination in the prescribed form
- Details of manufacturing process, machinery and in-house testing
- Agreement, indemnity bond and performance bank guarantee (after grant)
BIS registration under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS)
For electronics and IT products notified under CRS. Registration is granted on the basis of test reports from BIS-recognised laboratories in India, and the product then carries the Standard Mark with its registration number (R-number). A foreign factory registers through an Authorised Indian Representative.
Licence holder: The foreign manufacturing unit, represented in India by its Authorised Indian Representative (AIR).
Steps
- 1
Confirm the product is under CRS
Check the product and its Indian Standard (IS number) in the CRS list. Each factory and brand needs a separate registration.
- 2
Test samples in India
Get samples tested at a BIS-recognised laboratory in India against the Indian Standard. Models can be grouped as BIS guidelines allow.
- 3
Appoint an Authorised Indian Representative
Foreign applicants without a branch or liaison office in India must nominate an AIR, who signs the affidavit cum undertaking (Format A or B).
- 4
Apply online
Submit the online application with the test report, the affidavit cum undertaking and the fee.
- 5
Answer BIS queries
BIS raises queries online, and you reply on the same portal.
- 6
Registration and marking
Once granted, mark products with the Standard Mark and the R-number as BIS prescribes.
- Timeline
- BIS normally grants registration within 20 working days of a complete application with a valid test report.
- Validity
- Valid for 2 years. Renewal can be taken for 2 to 5 years at a time.
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | ₹1K | Per application. |
| Processing fee | ₹50K | Includes one test report. Under the 2018 fee structure, micro enterprises and start-ups get an 80% concession, small enterprises 50% and medium enterprises 20%. Check the current BIS notification before you pay. |
| Each additional test report | ₹20K | For more models in the same application. |
| Annual registration fee | ₹1K | Per year of validity (2 years at first). |
| Product testing | As per lab | Paid to the BIS-recognised laboratory in India. |
Government fees exclude GST. BIS revises fees by notification.
Documents
- Test report from a BIS-recognised laboratory in India
- Affidavit cum undertaking (Format A or B, signed with the AIR)
- AIR nomination form
- Factory and brand details, with the list of models
Obligations for Foreign manufacturers
Appoint an AIR
Keep an Authorised Indian Representative resident in India for as long as you hold the licence or registration.
Hold the licence in your factory's name
Each factory needs its own licence. Your importer or distributor in India cannot hold it on your behalf.
Mark goods before export
Apply the ISI mark with the licence number, or the CRS mark with the R-number, at the factory.
What's Different for Foreign manufacturers
AIR and bank guarantee
Indian factories need neither. FMCS licensees must appoint an AIR and furnish a USD 10,000 bank guarantee.
Fees in USD
FMCS fees are the same as for Indian factories but are paid in USD. Manufacturers in SAARC countries may pay in INR with GST.
Longer timeline
FMCS generally takes about six months, against about 30 days for an Indian factory using the simplified procedure.
Testing happens in India
Samples drawn at your factory are tested in India. CRS products must be tested at a BIS-recognised lab in India.
Penalty Under the BIS Act
Under Section 29 of the BIS Act, 2016, breaking Section 17 is punishable with imprisonment of up to two years, or a fine of not less than ₹2 lakh for the first offence and not less than ₹5 lakh for later offences, which may extend up to ten times the value of the goods.
Official Sources
- The Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016· BIS
- FMCS: how to apply· BIS
- FMCS: grant of licence· BIS
- FMCS: nomination of Authorised Indian Representative· BIS
- FMCS FAQs· BIS
- CRS: how to apply· BIS
- CRS fee structure (w.e.f. 04 June 2018)· BIS
Source: BIS publications, last verified . Fees and procedures change by BIS notification, so check the BIS website before you apply.