Chapter III - Appointment and Powers of Director, Controller and Legal Metrology Officers
Section 20
Section 20: Non-standard weights and measures not to be imported
The import ban reaches a weight or measure brought in alone or as a part or component of a machine. The standard is conformity with the standards of weight or measure established by or under the Act.
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Need advice on Section 20?
This article is for general information. Refer to the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 official text for the official provisions. If you need professional advice for your situation, contact Bizeneed.
Statutory text
Bare law
No weight or measure, whether singly or as a part or component of any machine shall be imported unless it conforms to the standards of weight or measure established by or under this Act.
Introduction
The section is an import conformity rule. It does not itself state the detailed test tolerances or replace any applicable approval or verification process.
Key takeaways
Core rule
The import ban reaches a weight or measure brought in alone or as a part or component of a machine. The standard is conformity with the standards of weight or measure established by or under the Act.
Operational check
Map every measuring component in the shipment, including units embedded in an industrial or retail machine.
Important limit
The section is an import conformity rule. It does not itself state the detailed test tolerances or replace any applicable approval or verification process.
When this section applies
The import ban reaches a weight or measure brought in alone or as a part or component of a machine. The standard is conformity with the standards of weight or measure established by or under the Act.
Practical steps and records
Trace the measuring component through the import declaration and machine specifications, even when it is not separately invoiced.
- Map every measuring component in the shipment, including units embedded in an industrial or retail machine.
- Compare model specifications and test evidence with the applicable Act and Central technical rules before ordering or customs clearance.
- Preserve model, serial-number and conformity records; check importer registration and model approval separately.
Hypothetical example
Hypothetical: An imported dispensing machine contains a measuring module. The buyer checks the module's legal metrology conformity even though the invoice describes the shipment as a single machine.
How to read it with related law
The section is an import conformity rule. It does not itself state the detailed test tolerances or replace any applicable approval or verification process.
Primary sources
Read the original central Act with the enacted and commenced amendments listed here. Rules made under the Act and State enforcement rules supply details where the provision says 'prescribed'.
Practical checklist
Do
- Map every measuring component in the shipment, including units embedded in an industrial or retail machine.
- Compare model specifications and test evidence with the applicable Act and Central technical rules before ordering or customs clearance.
- Preserve model, serial-number and conformity records; check importer registration and model approval separately.
Avoid
- Do not omit a measuring module merely because it arrives inside a larger machine.
- Do not clear an import solely on the strength of importer registration if conformity with Act standards is unresolved.
Illustrative example
Hypothetical application of section 20
An imported dispensing machine contains a measuring module. The buyer checks the module's legal metrology conformity even though the invoice describes the shipment as a single machine.
Identify the duty
The import ban reaches a weight or measure brought in alone or as a part or component of a machine. The standard is conformity with the standards of weight or measure established by or under the Act.
Check the evidence
Compare model specifications and test evidence with the applicable Act and Central technical rules before ordering or customs clearance.
Resolve the issue
Preserve model, serial-number and conformity records; check importer registration and model approval separately.
Outcome
- The section is an import conformity rule. It does not itself state the detailed test tolerances or replace any applicable approval or verification process.
Glossary
- Component
- A measuring part built into a larger machine; section 20 expressly includes it.
- Prescribed
- Specified in rules made under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009.
Frequently asked questions
Is an embedded measuring component outside section 20?
No. The section expressly covers a weight or measure imported as a part or component of a machine.
Does a section 22 model approval alone settle this import restriction?
No. Section 20 separately requires the imported weight or measure to conform to standards established by or under the Act.
Need help applying this provision to your situation?
Contact BizeneedLast updated 10 October 2026