Of iron

Iron ingots in primary form

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7206 10 10 (iron ingots in primary form) 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

7206 10 10

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS mapped in 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 whose licence is mapped to the applicable Indian Standard in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024. Verify the CM/L number, licensed facility, and product scope on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order.
Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024 · Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
2
Ensure each consignment of iron ingots is accompanied by a test certificate bearing the standard mark, issued by the BIS-certified manufacturer. Every ingot must bear the ISI standard mark under the CM/L licence; sub-standard or defective product must be disposed of as scrap under Section 17(1)(b) of the BIS Act, 2016.
Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024 · Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016 (11 of 2016)
3
If the consignment lacks BIS certification, apply and seek clarification on the TCQCO portal for each such consignment before import. This is mandatory for all steel importers per Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023.
Ministry of Steel Circular F.No. S-20011/14/2021-Tech dated 20-10-2023 · CBIC clarification F.No. 401/88/2023-Cus.III dated 09-11-2023
4
Register the consignment on the Steel Import Monitoring System portal not earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival. Fee ₹500; automatic registration number valid for 75 days. The minimum 15-day advance requirement has been abolished.
DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023 · DGFT Notification 19/2015-20 dated 07-07-2022
5
Quote 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 regarding verification of the applicable Indian Standard for the input material of steel and steel products intended for import.
CBIC Instruction 16/2025-CUS dated 18-06-2025 as modified by CBIC Instruction 23/2025-CUS dated 15-07-2025 · ITC (HS) Chapter 72 Policy Condition 5

A word of counsel

The most common failure on this tariff line is importing iron ingots from a manufacturer whose CM/L licence has not been specifically mapped against the Indian Standard listed in Schedule 1 of S.O. 3716(E) for HSN 7206 10 10 — a general steel CM/L covering a different product family does not satisfy the QCO obligation. Consignments arriving without a consignment-specific test certificate bearing the standard mark face detention and mandatory disposal as scrap under Section 17(1)(b) of the BIS Act, 2016, with no provision for re-export or rectification at port.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7206 10 10 require BIS certification?

Yes. Iron ingots under this tariff line must conform to the Indian Standard in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024 under the ISI Mark Scheme, with effect from 29 August 2024 per S.O. 3716(E). Import from a manufacturer without a current BIS CM/L licence is prohibited.

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, registration valid for 75 days, and the importer may apply no earlier than 60 days before the expected arrival date.

What must an importer do if the iron ingot consignment is not BIS-certified?

The importer must apply for and obtain a clarification on the TCQCO portal before import, as mandated by the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023, read with CBIC clarification F.No. 401/88/2023-Cus.III dated 09-11-2023. Sub-standard product that does not conform must be disposed of as scrap.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all iron ingot specifications from one manufacturer?

No. The CM/L is scope-specific by Indian Standard, product specification, and licensed manufacturing facility. Iron ingots outside the licensed specification or produced at an unlicensed plant are not covered and are treated as uncertified goods at customs.

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