CBIC Instruction No. 20/2026-Customs: Screen Protectors for Smartphones under CRO 2021 from 1 April 2027
Summary: CBIC, through Instruction No. 20/2026-Customs dated 07-10-2026, has drawn the attention of Customs formations to MeitY Gazette Notification S.O. 5190(E) dated 21.09.2026 amending the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021. The amendment adds “Screen Protectors for smartphones” at Serial No. 66 of the Schedule and prescribes IS 19348:2025, titled “Glass Screen Protector — Specification”, as the applicable Indian Standard. The provisions of the CRO, 2021 will apply to the newly added goods for conformity with the specified Indian Standard with effect from 01.04.2027. The CBIC instruction advises field formations to take note of the amendment and ensure that its provisions are duly considered for necessary action. The instruction also provides that implementation difficulties may be brought to the notice of the Board.
Instruction No. 20/2026-Customs | Dated: 07-10-2026
F. No. 450/51/2018
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs
Customs Policy Wing
To,
All Principal Chief Commissioners/ Chief Commissioners of Customs/ Customs (Preventive)/Customs & Central Taxes
All Principal Commissioners/Commissioners of Customs /Customs (Preventive).
All Pr. Director General/Director Generals under CBIC
Subject: Amendment to Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021 – inclusion of Screen Protectors for smartphones – reg.
Attention is invited to the Gazette Notification S.O. 5190(E) dated 21.09.2026 issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), whereby the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement for Compulsory
Registration) Order, 2021 has been amended.
2. Vide the aforesaid notification, “Screen Protectors for smartphones” have been added at Sl. No. 66 of the Schedule to the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021. The Indian Standard prescribed against the said goods is:
| Sl. No. | Goods/Articles | Indian Standard | Title of Indian Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| 66 | Screen Protectors for smartphones | IS
19348:2025 |
Glass Screen Protector — Specification |
3. The notification further stipulates that the provisions of the CRO, 2021 shall apply to the aforesaid goods for conformity with the specified Indian Standard with effect from 01.04.2027.
4. Accordingly, all field formations are advised to take note of the above amendment and ensure that the provisions of the aforesaid notification are duly taken into consideration for necessary action.
5. Any difficulties in implementation of the above may be brought to the notice of the Board.
Encl.: Copy of Gazette Notification S.O. 5190(E) dated 21.09.2026.
Yours faithfully,
(Anshuman Yadav)
OSD, Customs Policy Wing, CBIC
Email: [email protected]
