New Delhi, Feb. 18 -- The government has granted a conditional exemption from mandatory Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) compliance for select imported goods shipped before the implementation of various quality control orders (QCOs), offering relief to consignments at risk of being held up at Indian ports. The move is expected to help downstream industries ramp up production and could also benefit manufacturers in China, which remains a key supplier in several affected categories. According to a department for promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT) order reviewed by Mint, imports covered under specified QCOs can be cleared without BIS certification if they were shipped before the respective implementation dates and the bill of entry is filed within 180 days. The relaxation applies to QCOs implemented between July 2024 and October 2025. These products include aluminium and aluminium alloy items, commercial vending appliances, flashlights, hinges, electric fence energizers, air coolers, washing machines, domestic water heaters, plywood, flush doors, wood-based boards, laminates, copper products, V-belts (rubber belts used in machines and engines), water meters, fans, footwear, electrical accessories, laboratory glassware and bottled water dispensers.Importers must furnish copies of the 'bill of lading' and supporting documents to BIS within seven days of clearance, the order said. Government officials stressed that the relaxation is strictly transitional and does not dilute quality standards going forward. "Future imports will continue to require BIS certification under the respective QCOs," a government official requesting anonymity said. Industry executives said several consignments shipped before the QCO deadlines had been facing uncertainty over compliance, raising concerns about demurrage costs and working capital blockages. Queries sent to the ministries of commerce and consumer affairs remained unanswered till press time. "The exemption provides a transitional window to clear such cargo without disruption, particularly benefiting importers reliant on Chinese supply chains," said an executive at a major consumer goods manufacturing company, on the condition of anonymity. The government's decision is a pragmatic step that balances quality enforcement with trade facilitation, said Vinod Kumar, president, SME Forum. "For many MSMEs, especially those dependent on imported components and intermediate goods, this will ease immediate working capital pressures and prevent supply chain disruptions. At the same time, maintaining clear timelines for future compliance ensures that long-term quality standards and fair competition are not compromised," said Kumar. China remains a major supplier across several affected categories, including aluminium and aluminium alloy products, electrical appliances, flashlights, footwear and other industrial and consumer goods. India's imports from China increased from $101.74 billion in FY24 to $113.45 billion in FY25. In the first 10 months of the current fiscal year (FY26), total imports from China stood at $108.18 billion, according to commerce ministry data. Across various categories of aluminium imports, the UAE emerged as the largest supplier at $648 million, followed by Malaysia at $515 million. Other key sources included South Korea ($222.73 million), Bahrain ($174.23 million), Qatar ($148.04 million) and Oman ($91.76 million)....