CBIC Issues Instruction No. 09/2026-Customs: Standalone Hard Disk Drives Now Under Compulsory Registration Framework

Overview

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has released Instruction No. 09/2026-Customs dated 12.06.2026, directing field formations across the country to align their operations with the revised regulatory landscape introduced by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The instruction specifically addresses the impact of MeitY Notification S.O. 2204(E) dated 05.05.2026, which has broadened the scope of compulsory registration requirements applicable to hard disk drive products under the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021.

This development carries significant implications for customs clearance procedures, importers, and manufacturers of electronic storage devices operating within India's regulatory ecosystem.

Background: The Compulsory Registration Order, 2021

The Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021 is a regulatory framework established under MeitY's mandate to ensure that electronic and IT goods sold or imported into India meet prescribed quality and safety standards. Under this Order, specific categories of electronic products are required to obtain compulsory registration before they can be legally marketed or cleared through customs.

The Schedule to the Order lists out product categories that fall within its ambit. Each entry in the Schedule corresponds to a distinct class of electronic goods, and registration under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) or a designated certification body is typically a prerequisite for customs clearance and domestic sale.

Serial No. 50 of the Schedule previously referred to a specific category of hard disk drives. The MeitY amendment has now substituted and broadened that entry to encompass a wider class of products — specifically, "Standalone Hard Disk Drives" — thereby expanding the compliance obligation for this product segment.

Key Changes Introduced by MeitY Notification S.O. 2204(E) Dated 05.05.2026

Substitution of Entry at Serial No. 50

The most consequential amendment made through this notification is the substitution of the entry at Column (2) against Sr. No. 50 of the Schedule to the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021. The revised entry now reads:

"Standalone Hard Disk Drives"