FMCS in one paragraph
The Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) is how a factory outside India gets a BIS licence to use the ISI Mark on products sold in India. It's handled by the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Department (FMCD) at BIS headquarters in New Delhi. The licence is granted to the overseas factory itself, and the factory must appoint an Authorised Indian Representative (AIR). For any product under a Quality Control Order, FMCS is the only legal route for imports.
How long FMCS takes
BIS states that the average time for grant of an FMCS licence is generally six months from the date it receives and records a complete application. It can take longer — and the reasons are almost always the same:
Slow replies to BIS queries on the application. Scheduling the overseas factory inspection. Delays in depositing samples and paying testing charges. Test failures that need corrective action and retesting.
Since 1 June 2026, BIS accepts FMCS applications only through its online portal (Manakonline) — hard-copy applications are no longer accepted.
Realistic timeline by phase
| Phase | What happens | What speeds it up |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Map products to Indian Standards, gap-check the factory, appoint the AIR, prepare documents | A complete, consistent document file |
| Scrutiny | BIS checks the application and raises queries by email | Fast, complete answers to every query |
| Factory inspection | BIS officers visit the overseas factory and draw samples | Factory ready on day one; visa and logistics planned early |
| Testing | Samples tested in India at a BIS or BIS-recognised lab | Samples deposited and charges paid promptly |
| Grant | Agreement, indemnity bond and bank guarantee; licence issued | Bank guarantee arranged in advance |
What FMCS costs: the budget items
BIS publishes its FMCS fee structure and the minimum marking fee for each Indian Standard on its website and on Manakonline. Exact amounts depend on your product and change from time to time, so treat the list below as a budgeting checklist and confirm current figures before you apply.
Applicants outside the SAARC region must pay BIS fees in US dollars; SAARC applicants can pay in US dollars or in rupees plus GST.
| Cost item | When | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | With the application | Non-refundable |
| Overseas inspection charges | Before / for the factory visit | As per the BIS fee schedule |
| Testing charges | When samples are deposited | Borne by the applicant; BIS or BIS-recognised lab in India |
| Licence fee | On grant, then annually | As per the BIS fee structure |
| Advance minimum marking fee | On grant, then annually | Varies by Indian Standard |
| Performance Bank Guarantee | On grant | USD 10,000, from a bank with an RBI-approved branch in India |
| Renewal late fee | If renewal is filed after expiry | ₹5,000 |
The USD 10,000 bank guarantee explained
At grant, the manufacturer signs an agreement and an indemnity bond with BIS and furnishes a Performance Bank Guarantee of USD 10,000. It must be issued by a bank that has an RBI-approved branch in India, and it must be kept valid for six months beyond the licence validity — so when you renew the licence, you extend the guarantee too.
It's security against breach of licence conditions, not a fee — but it ties up a credit line for as long as you hold the licence, so arrange it with your bank well before grant.
Costs that are easy to forget
The AIR: a qualified Indian resident who represents only your firm (or your group), handles BIS correspondence, helps BIS draw market samples and appears before BIS when asked. Whether it's your own Indian employee or a service, it's a recurring cost.
Retesting: one failed test can add weeks and a second set of testing charges. A pre-check of your product against the Indian Standard is cheaper than a failure.
Scope inclusions: adding new models, sizes or brands later needs BIS approval. Plan your initial scope to cover what you'll actually ship.
Annual upkeep: licence and marking fees are paid in advance every year, along with production and dispatch reports. Marking-fee concessions designed for Indian micro and small enterprises shouldn't be assumed in a foreign manufacturer's budget.
Licence validity and renewal
BIS's FMCS pages describe an initial licence of one to two years and renewal for one to five years, depending on how many years of licence fee and advance minimum marking fee are paid. The BIS (Conformity Assessment) Amendment Regulations of February 2026 allow Scheme-I licences of up to five years, so confirm the validity offered for your licence at the time of grant.
Renewal requires the renewal form, month-wise production details with consignee addresses, the extended bank guarantee and the marking fee. File before expiry — a late renewal attracts a ₹5,000 late fee and risks a gap in which you cannot ship.
Choosing an FMCS consultant
A good FMCS consultant should be able to tell you, before you sign anything, which Indian Standard applies to each product, what your factory must have in place for the inspection, how testing will be planned, and who your AIR will be. Be wary of anyone who guarantees a licence or a fixed number of days — grant decisions and timings belong to BIS.
Ask how they will handle BIS queries, coordinate the inspection visit and manage your annual renewals, not just the first application.
How TechbyDR Services helps
We run FMCS projects end to end from New Delhi: standard mapping, factory gap assessment, the Manakonline application, inspection coordination, testing at a BIS-recognised lab, the bank guarantee and agreement paperwork, and annual renewals. We can act as or coordinate your Authorised Indian Representative.
FAQs
How long does FMCS certification take?
BIS says the average is about six months from receipt of a complete application. Incomplete documents, slow query replies, inspection scheduling and test failures are the usual causes of delay.
How much is the FMCS bank guarantee?
USD 10,000, from a bank with an RBI-approved branch in India, kept valid for six months beyond the licence validity.
Can foreign manufacturers pay BIS fees in rupees?
Only applicants from SAARC countries can choose rupees (plus GST). Applicants from all other countries pay in US dollars.
Who pays for testing under FMCS?
The applicant. Samples are tested in India at a BIS or BIS-recognised laboratory, and the applicant deposits the samples and pays the testing charges.
Can an FMCS application still be filed on paper?
No. Since 1 June 2026, BIS accepts FMCS applications only through the online portal.
This article is general information about BIS/NABL compliance, not legal or regulatory advice. Requirements change — confirm current applicability for your specific product before acting.
Need help with this?
FMCS – Foreign Manufacturers Certification
BIS licensing for manufacturers based outside India to use the ISI Mark.