Importers with Purchase Order: August 12, 2026, Bill of Lading: November 30, 2026, and Bill of Entry: December 31, 2026 will be exempted from the BIS Furniture Certification requirement under the Furniture (Quality Control) Third Amendment Order, 2026.
The Government of India has introduced amendments to the Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2025, that are favorable to importers of furniture products. The Furniture (Quality Control) Third Amendment Order, 2026, issued on 2 November 2026 by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, through the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), provides that the order requires specific conditions to be fulfilled.
The amendments have been published in the Gazette Notification number S.O. 5950(E). These amendments have revised the import exemption conditions and have also specified time limits within which purchase orders, shipping documents and customs clearance must be effected.
This is relevant for Indian importers of furniture who have placed orders with overseas manufacturers prior to the specified cut-off date but have not yet received the shipments and/or have not been able to effect customs clearance.
The latest amendment offers a limited exemption from the applicability of Furniture QCO requirements, subject to the conditions specified therein.
Furniture Quality Control Third Amendment Order 2026 PDF
What Is the Latest Update in the Furniture QCO Amendment 2026?
The latest notification has replaced the seventh and eighth provisions of Paragraph 2 of the Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2025, with new provisions regarding import of certain furniture.
According to the amended order, imported goods or articles would be eligible for exemption if the purchase order, Bill of Lading, and Bill of Entry, conform to the following conditions:
- Purchase Order: It must be issued on or before 12 August 2026.
- Bill of Lading: It must be issued on or before 30 November 2026.
- Bill of Entry: It must be issued on or before 31 December 2026.
In order to avail the exemption, it is necessary for the importer to conform to all the three conditions. Merely fulfilling the condition relating to purchase order would not entitle him to the exemption.
This amendment is to include cases of import of furniture through purchase commitments made before the specified date, where the shipment as well as the Customs documentation are still to be processed.
Documents Required to Claim the Furniture QCO Import Exemption
The amendment stipulates the documents that importers need to submit after receiving customs clearance.
Importers eligible to avail of the relaxation are required to submit the following documents to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS):
1.Copy of the purchase order.
2.Copy of the bill of lading.
3.Copy of the bill of entry.
4.Any other relevant supporting documents.
All the documents should be submitted on the letterhead of the importer’s company and signed by an authorized company representative.
Deadline for Submission: The importers need to submit the above mentioned documents to BIS within seven days from the date of clearance of the consignment.
Hence, it is essential for the importers to retain a proper and accurate record of their purchase and shipping transactions as well as the customs clearance documents to meet the submission deadline.
Who Can Benefit from the Furniture QCO Amendment 2026?
The 2026 Amendment gives the following relief to Indian importers who placed furniture purchase orders to foreign manufacturers up to 12 August 2026.
To illustrate, suppose an Indian importer placed a purchase order for office furniture with a foreign manufacturer on 10 August 2026. In this case, if the bill of lading is issued by 30 November 2026 and the bill of entry is issued by 31 December 2026, and other documentation and submission conditions are also fulfilled, the consignment will be exempt from the QCO.
Purchase orders issued to the furniture suppliers after 12 August 2026, are not eligible for this exemption under the amended provision.
Furniture consignments will also not qualify for this relief if either the bill of lading or the bill of entry are not issued within their respective time limits.
In view of the above, it is important for importers to examine their purchase order and other supporting documents to make sure that they qualify for the relief.
When does the Furniture QCO Third Amendment Order 2026 Take Effect?
The Furniture (Quality Control) Third Amendment Order, 2026, came into effect on 2 November 2026, with the publication in the Official Gazette.
The original Furniture (Quality Control) Order was published on 13 February 2025 with Notification S.O. 801 (E). Since then, the Government of India has issued 2 other amendments to the Furniture Quality Control Order, i.e. on:
- 12 February 2026 – S.O. 774 (E)
- 02 March 2026 – S.O. 1125 (E)
- 02 November 2026 – S.O. 5950 (E), Third Amendment Order.
The Third Amendment Order specifically revises the import exemption provisions, and does not amend the general application of the Furniture Quality Control Order.
What Should Furniture Importers Do After the Last Amendment?
Furniture importers should review their purchase orders and compare them to the dates mentioned in the latest government notification.
Here are the actions to be taken:
- Find out whether the purchase order was issued on or before 12 August 2026.
- Coordinate with the overseas manufacturers and shipping agencies to meet the deadline to issue the Bill of Lading.
- Ensure the Bill of Entry is issued on or before 31 December 2026.
- Retain all the purchase, shipping, and customs documentation.
- Submit the required documents to BIS within seven days of Customs clearance.
- Review the BIS certification requirements and Applicable Indian Standards before placing orders for new furniture.
Furniture importers who wish to import new shipments after the amendment, should not assume they are now exempt from Furniture QCOs.
How Aleph India Can Help with Furniture BIS Certification
Manufacturers, importers, and global furniture brands need to comprehend the Indian Furniture QCO requirements, the related Indian Standards, and the BIS certification process, in order to do business in India.
Aleph India offers professional consultancy and regulatory compliance support to businesses aiming to acquire BIS certification and Furniture QCO compliance. Our team helps manufactures and importers comprehend the certification requirements, prepares related documentation, coordinates product testing, and manages the certification process.
If you are planning a new furniture import to India or reviewing an existing furniture import shipment, Aleph India can help you understand the regulatory requirements and take the necessary compliance actions.
For BIS Furniture Certification and Furniture QCO compliance in India, contact Aleph India.
