Compliance is the most misunderstood layer of international procurement. Buyers pay for certifications they don't need, skip ones they do, and end up with containers stuck at customs for weeks. Here's the actual map.
CE — for the European Union
CE covers electrical safety, electromagnetic compatibility, and — for many products — the RoHS directive. It is not a quality mark. If you're importing to India from China, CE alone is usually not enough — you still need BIS.
BIS — mandatory for India
For 60+ electronics categories, BIS registration is legally required to sell in India. This includes smartphones, laptops, LED lights, power banks, and set-top boxes. Buyers get caught assuming Chinese CE = Indian BIS. It doesn't.
- CE ≠ BIS — you need BIS separately for India
- RoHS is often bundled with CE, but check the specific directive
- ETL is a UL alternative — matters for US-bound goods, not India
The rule of thumb
Match certifications to your destination market, not to what the factory offers. A factory that shows you fifteen certificates isn't better — it's often just louder. What matters is the one your destination customs officer will check.
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