Other

Low-carbon and medium-carbon ferro-chromium alloys

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7202 49 00 (ferro-chromium other than high-carbon) 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 registration administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade applies as a separate customs-clearance overlay.

What this is

HSN code

7202 49 00

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 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 mapped to HSN 7202 49 00 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
2
Ensure every consignment is accompanied by a test certificate bearing the standard mark, issued by the BIS CM/L-licensed manufacturer. The standard mark must appear on the product in accordance with Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.
S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024 · Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
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
4
Ensure strict compliance 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 the respective input material of steel and steel products intended for import as notified and mapped in the QCO requiring mandatory SIMS registration.
CBIC Instruction 16/2025-CUS dated 18-06-2025 · CBIC Instruction 23/2025-CUS dated 15-07-2025
5
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number and the SIMS registration number on the bill of entry. Sub-standard or defective product not conforming to the specified standard must be disposed of as scrap in compliance with Section 17(1)(b) of the BIS Act, 2016.
S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024 · Section 17(1)(b) of the BIS Act, 2016 · Customs Act, 1962

A word of counsel

The most common failure on this tariff line is proceeding to import on the strength of SIMS registration alone without confirming that the foreign manufacturer holds a current CM/L licence against the specific Indian Standard listed in Schedule 1 of S.O. 3716(E) for this ferro-chromium grade. Because the primary IS number is published in the Schedule and not repeated in the customs record, importers frequently discover mid-shipment that their supplier's licence either does not exist or does not cover the chromium-grade variant being shipped — triggering detention and disposal-as-scrap under Section 17(1)(b) of the BIS Act, 2016.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7202 49 00 require BIS certification?

Yes. Ferro-chromium under this tariff line must conform to the Indian Standard in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024 under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 29 August 2024; import is permitted only from manufacturers holding a current BIS CM/L licence.

Is SIMS registration required separately from BIS QCO compliance?

Yes. Steel Import Monitoring System registration is administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade and is independent of the BIS QCO obligation. Fee ₹500, validity 75 days, apply no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival.

Do the SIMS carve-outs for re-import for packaging or SEZ-to-DTA movements also waive the BIS QCO obligation?

No. The SIMS exemptions under DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 operate only on the SIMS registration requirement; the BIS CM/L and ISI-marking obligations under S.O. 3716(E) are not relaxed by either carve-out.

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

No. A CM/L licence is scope-specific by product grade, specification, and manufacturing facility; ferro-chromium outside the licensed grade or from a different plant is not covered and will be detained at port.

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