Other
Ferro-silicon with 55% or less silicon content
HSN 7202 29 00 (ferro-silicon other than the above-55% silicon variant) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to the Indian Standard mapped in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 29 August 2024, by virtue of S.O. 3716(E). Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) registration administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade applies as a separate customs-clearance overlay.
Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, Directorate General of Foreign Trade.
- 1Source only from a Bureau of Indian Standards CM/L-licensed manufacturer whose licence covers the Indian Standard mapped to HSN 7202 29 00 in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024. Verify the CM/L number, product scope, and licensed 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
- 2Ensure each consignment is accompanied by a test certificate bearing the ISI standard mark, issued by the BIS-certified manufacturer. Every lot must bear the standard mark under the supplier's CM/L licence — product not carrying the standard mark is sub-standard for import purposes.Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024 · Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016
- 3If the consignment lacks BIS certification, apply for clarification on the TCQCO portal before import, as mandated for all steel consignments imported without a BIS licence. Sub-standard or defective ferro-silicon must be disposed of as scrap in compliance with Section 17(1)(b) of the BIS Act, 2016.Ministry of Steel Circular dated 20-10-2023 · CBIC F.No. 401/88/2023-Cus.III dated 09-11-2023
- 4Register 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; SIMS 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
- 5Comply with CBIC Instructions 16/2025-CUS and 23/2025-CUS requiring strict verification of the Indian Standard of the input material against the QCO-mapped standard. Quote the CM/L number and SIMS registration number on the bill of entry; absence, expiry, or scope mismatch of either triggers consignment detention.CBIC Instruction 16/2025-CUS dated 18-06-2025 as modified by CBIC Instruction 23/2025-CUS dated 15-07-2025
The single most common error on this tariff line is treating SIMS registration as proof of BIS compliance and clearing the consignment without a valid CM/L-backed test certificate. SIMS is a customs-clearance overlay; the statutory hook that triggers detention and mandatory scrap disposal under Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016 is import of ferro-silicon not accompanied by a test certificate bearing the standard mark from a BIS CM/L-licensed manufacturer. Additionally, where the specific Indian Standard mapped to HSN 7202 29 00 in Schedule 1 of S.O. 3716(E) is not confirmed from the supplier before shipment, the consignment risks detention while the TCQCO portal clarification process runs — a process that stops the clock on demurrage and ground rent obligations only for the importer, not for the shipping line.