Ferro-nickel
Ferro-nickel alloy for steel and special-alloy production
HSN 7202 60 00 (ferro-nickel) 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, 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.
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 holding a current licence against the Indian Standard mapped to ferro-nickel in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products QCO 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
- 2Ensure each consignment is accompanied by a test certificate bearing the standard mark, issued by the BIS-certified manufacturer. The ferro-nickel must bear the ISI standard mark under the CM/L licence; non-conforming or sub-standard material must be disposed of as scrap per Section 17(1)(b) of the BIS Act, 2016.Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024 · Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016 (11 of 2016)
- 3Register the consignment on the Steel Import Monitoring System portal not earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival. Pay the registration fee of ₹500; the automatic SIMS registration number is valid for 75 days and must remain in 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
- 4Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number and the SIMS registration number on the bill of entry. Comply with CBIC Instructions 16/2025-CUS and 23/2025-CUS on mandatory SIMS portal registration for steel inputs mapped under the QCO; 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
- 5If the consignment lacks BIS licence or certification, apply for a clarification on the TCQCO portal before import, as mandated by the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023. Retain the CBIC clarification under F.No. 401/88/2023-Cus.III dated 09-11-2023 in the import file for customs scrutiny.Ministry of Steel Circular dated 20-10-2023 (F.No. S-20011/14/2021-Tech) · CBIC Clarification F.No. 401/88/2023-Cus.III dated 09-11-2023
The single most consequential error on this tariff line is importing ferro-nickel under the assumption that the deferral notification S.O. 5134(E) applies to it. S.O. 5134(E) suspends enforcement only at the specific serial numbers enumerated in its schedule; ferro-nickel at HSN 7202 60 00 must be verified against the deferral list entry by entry — if ferro-nickel's serial number in Schedule 1 is not among those deferred, the enforcement date of 29 August 2024 holds and unmarked consignments face detention, re-export, or confiscation at port.