Instruction
07 Oct 2026
CBIC
Operative & In Force
Instruction No. 20/2026- Customs — Amendment to Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021 – inclusion of Screen Protectors for smartphones
Legal Citation
CBIC Instruction No. Instruction No. 20/2026- Customs, dt. 07-10-2026
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Executive Directive & Regulatory Background
This CBIC Instruction No. 20/2026-Customs, dated 07-10-2026, serves as an advisory to all customs field formations regarding an amendment to the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021.
Key Statutory Takeaways & Compliance Mandates
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Registration & Revocation Procedures
The core purpose is to inform stakeholders about the inclusion of 'Screen Protectors for smartphones' under the Compulsory Registration Order (CRO), 2021, as mandated by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) vide Gazette Notification S.O.
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5190(E) dated 21.09.2026.
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Applicability & Compliance Framework
Effective from April 1, 2027, all Screen Protectors for smartphones imported into or manufactured in India will be required to conform to Indian Standard IS 19348:2025, titled 'Glass Screen Protector — Specification'.
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This means that such goods must bear the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification mark, indicating compliance with the specified quality and safety standards.
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Registration & Revocation Procedures
The instruction directs customs authorities to ensure strict adherence to these provisions, impacting importers, manufacturers, and distributors of smartphone screen protectors by necessitating prior BIS registration and compliance for market access.
Key Procedural Changes & Industry Impact
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Inclusion of 'Screen Protectors for smartphones' at Sl. No. 66 of the Schedule to the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021.Importers and manufacturers of smartphone screen protectors must now ensure their products comply with the Compulsory Registration Order (CRO), 2021, and obtain BIS certification.
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Prescription of Indian Standard IS 19348:2025 ('Glass Screen Protector — Specification') for Screen Protectors for smartphones.All affected goods must meet the technical specifications and quality requirements outlined in IS 19348:2025 to be legally imported, manufactured, or sold in India.
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Effective date for the application of CRO, 2021 provisions to Screen Protectors for smartphones is 01.04.2027.Businesses have a transition period until April 1, 2027, to ensure their products are BIS-compliant and registered. After this date, non-compliant goods will face import restrictions and market access issues.
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Advisory to all field formations to take note and ensure due consideration of the amendment.Customs authorities will strictly enforce the BIS compliance requirement for Screen Protectors for smartphones from the effective date, potentially leading to increased scrutiny and clearance delays for non-compliant consignments.