The Office of the Principal Commissioner of Customs, Mundra, has issued an alert notice regarding the import of goods that do not conform to Quality Control Orders (QCOs) issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
The notice emphasizes strict enforcement measures to prevent the entry of non-compliant goods into the country.
The DPIIT, through its QCOs, mandates that certain imported goods must meet specified Indian Standards. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is responsible for certifying and enforcing compliance. In some cases, extended timelines have been granted to Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) to comply with these standards. However, some importers have attempted to claim such relaxations for imports under the pretext of being MSEs.
The Customs Department sought clarification from DPIIT regarding the applicability of these relaxations on imports. DPIIT has clarified that any relaxation provided in the QCOs applies only to the process of obtaining BIS licenses under the Conformity Assessment Rules. It does not extend to imported goods, which must comply with the QCOs from the date of implementation, irrespective of the enterprise’s classification.
As a result, customs officers in the Docks Section and Import Assessment Section are being sensitized to ensure that non-compliant goods are not allowed entry. The alert notice, signed by Additional Commissioner Mukesh Kumari, directs all relevant departments to enforce strict compliance with the QCO regulations to uphold quality standards and protect domestic markets from substandard imports.
Importers are advised to ensure full compliance with the prescribed Indian Standards before attempting to bring goods into the country. Any contravention may result in strict regulatory action, including seizure of goods and penalties as per customs laws.
Notice Details
Alert Notice: 02/2025
