Containing by weight more than 55% of silicon

Ferro-silicon containing more than 55% silicon by weight

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7202 21 00 (ferro-silicon containing more than 55% silicon by weight) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order under the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024. Conformity to the Indian Standard mapped in Schedule 1 of the controlling Quality Control Order is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 29 August 2024, pursuant to S.O. 3716(E). Steel Import Monitoring System registration administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade applies as a separate customs-clearance overlay.

What this is

HSN code

7202 21 00

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS as per Schedule 1 of S.O. 3716(E) · effective 29-08-2024

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

BISBIS·Bureau of Indian Standards

SIMSSIMS·Steel Import Monitoring System

Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

Compliance steps

1
Source only from a Bureau of Indian Standards CM/L-licensed manufacturer holding a current licence against the Indian Standard specified in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024. Verify the CM/L number, licensed product scope, and manufacturing facility on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order.
Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024 · Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
2
Ensure every consignment is accompanied by a test certificate bearing the standard mark, issued by the BIS-certified manufacturer. Each ferro-silicon consignment must also bear the standard mark under the CM/L licence per Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.
Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024
3
Register the consignment on the Steel Import Monitoring System portal not earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival. Fee ₹500, registration valid for 75 days from issue; the registration must remain within validity on the date of arrival.
DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023 · Policy Condition 5 of Chapter 72 of ITC (HS)
4
Apply through the TCQCO portal for clarification for any consignment imported without a BIS licence or certification, as mandated by the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023. Ensure the CBIC clarification issued vide F.No. 401/88/2023-Cus.III dated 09-11-2023 is observed.
MoS Circular dated 20-10-2023 · CBIC Clarification F.No. 401/88/2023-Cus.III dated 09-11-2023
5
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number and the SIMS registration number on the bill of entry; comply strictly with CBIC Instruction 16/2025-CUS dated 18-06-2025 as modified by CBIC Instruction 23/2025-CUS dated 15-07-2025 regarding the Indian Standard of input material for steel products. Either absent, expired, or scope-mismatched triggers consignment detention.
CBIC Instruction 16/2025-CUS dated 18-06-2025 · CBIC Instruction 23/2025-CUS dated 15-07-2025

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is assuming the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024 operates at heading level 7202 and that any ferro-alloy supplier with a generic steel CM/L licence satisfies it. The BIS CM/L must be specifically scoped to the Indian Standard listed against ferro-silicon in Schedule 1 of S.O. 3716(E); a licence covering adjacent ferro-alloys or a different silicon-content band does not cover this tariff item, and customs detention follows from a scope mismatch even where the ISI mark is physically present on the consignment.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7202 21 00 require BIS certification?

Yes. Ferro-silicon containing more than 55% silicon by weight must conform to the Indian Standard in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024 under the ISI Mark Scheme; import is permitted only from manufacturers holding a current BIS CM/L licence covering this product, with effect from 29 August 2024.

Is Steel Import Monitoring System registration required separately from BIS QCO compliance?

Yes. SIMS registration is administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade independently of the BIS QCO. Fee ₹500, validity 75 days, application permissible no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival.

Are there any exemptions from SIMS registration for ferro-silicon imports?

Re-import of steel for packaging purposes and SEZ-to-DTA movements without value addition are carved out from SIMS under DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022; the BIS QCO obligation under S.O. 3716(E) is not waived by either carve-out.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all ferro-silicon grades and manufacturing facilities?

No. The CM/L is scope-specific by product specification and licensed facility; ferro-silicon outside the licensed silicon-content range or from an unlicensed plant is not covered, and customs detains the consignment on a scope mismatch with the BIS register.

Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-16. Source: BIS / SIMS / DGFT / CBIC / Indian Customs CUSDATA.