RFID FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions India | India RFID Store

Frequently Asked Questions About RFID

Have a question about RFID technology, products, or implementation in India? Browse our comprehensive FAQ below.

What is RFID technology?

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is a wireless technology that uses radio waves to identify and track tags attached to objects. An RFID system consists of a reader, antenna, and tags. When the reader emits radio waves, tags within range respond with their stored data, enabling automatic identification without line-of-sight or manual scanning.

What is the difference between UHF and HF RFID?

UHF RFID (860–960 MHz) offers read ranges of 1–12 metres and is ideal for warehouse management, logistics, retail inventory, and access control. HF RFID (13.56 MHz) has a shorter read range (up to 1 metre) and is used for NFC payments, library management, event access, and patient ID wristbands.

What is the difference between RFID and barcode?

RFID does not require line-of-sight scanning, can read multiple tags simultaneously, works through packaging and at distance, and stores more data than barcodes. Barcodes are cheaper per label but must be scanned individually and can be damaged or obscured. RFID is preferred for high-volume, high-speed operations like warehouse automation.

How much does RFID cost in India?

RFID tag costs in India typically range from ₹3–₹25 per tag for standard UHF inlays, ₹8–₹50 for printed labels, and ₹25–₹500 for hard tags. Fixed UHF RFID readers range from ₹8,000–₹80,000 depending on the number of ports and features. Handheld readers range from ₹25,000–₹1,50,000. Contact India RFID Store for bulk pricing.

What read range can I expect from a UHF RFID reader?

Standard UHF RFID readers can read tags from 1–12 metres depending on the antenna gain, reader power (max 30 dBm / 1 Watt in India), tag type, and environment. In open-air conditions with a high-gain antenna, reads of 8–12 metres are achievable. In dense, metallic, or liquid environments, range may be reduced to 1–3 metres.

What is passive RFID vs active RFID?

Passive RFID tags have no battery — they harvest energy from the reader's RF field. They are low cost, small, and have an indefinite lifespan. Active RFID tags have their own battery and can transmit over much longer distances (up to 100+ metres), and are used for real-time tracking of high-value assets, vehicles, and personnel.

Can RFID tags be read through water or metal?

Standard UHF RFID tags perform poorly near metal and water. For metal surfaces, use On-Metal RFID tags (hard tags with a special substrate). For wet or liquid environments, HF/NFC tags or specially designed UHF tags are recommended.

What RFID frequency is used in India?

In India, UHF RFID operates in the 865–867 MHz band (ETSI standard), regulated by WPC (Wireless Planning Commission). Maximum permitted power is 1 Watt ERP. HF RFID operates at 13.56 MHz globally without licensing requirements. All Identium readers are certified for the Indian UHF band.

Do I need a licence to operate RFID equipment in India?

For UHF RFID (865–867 MHz), WPC type approval is required for readers sold in India. All UHF RFID readers sold by India RFID Store have WPC approval. For HF RFID (13.56 MHz) and NFC, no licence is required.

How do I choose the right RFID reader for my application?

Key factors: (1) Frequency — UHF for long range, HF/NFC for short range. (2) Number of antenna ports — 1-port desktop readers for light use, 4-port fixed readers for warehouses. (3) Environment — IP65/IP67 rated for outdoor or industrial use. (4) Connectivity — USB, RS232, Ethernet, WiFi, or Bluetooth. Contact our team for a free consultation.

What is NFC and how is it different from RFID?

NFC (Near Field Communication) is a subset of HF RFID at 13.56 MHz with a read range of 0–10 cm. NFC is used in smartphones for payments, access cards, and smart packaging. All modern smartphones support NFC.

Can I get customised RFID tags?

Yes. India RFID Store / Identium offers custom-printed RFID labels, wristbands, and hard tags with your company logo, serial numbers, barcodes, and encoded EPC data. Contact us for a custom quotation.