Other

Non-alloy steel ingots in primary form

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7206 10 90 (non-alloy steel ingots in primary form) 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, per 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 90

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 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 steel ingot in the consignment bears the ISI standard mark under a CM/L licence from Bureau of Indian Standards. Each consignment must also be accompanied by a test certificate bearing the standard mark, issued by the BIS-certified manufacturer.
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 no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival. Pay the registration fee of ₹500; the automatic SIMS number is valid for 75 days and 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
4
For each consignment imported without a BIS CM/L licence or certification, apply for and obtain clarification on the TCQCO portal before importation. Verify compliance with CBIC clarification F.No. 401/88/2023-Cus.III dated 09-11-2023 on the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023.
Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023 · CBIC clarification F.No. 401/88/2023-Cus.III dated 09-11-2023
5
Quote the BIS CM/L number and the SIMS registration number on the bill of entry, and strictly comply 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 input material. Sub-standard product that does not conform must be disposed of as scrap in compliance with Section 17(1)(b) of the BIS Act, 2016.
CBIC Instruction 16/2025-CUS dated 18-06-2025 · CBIC Instruction 23/2025-CUS dated 15-07-2025 · Section 17(1)(b) of the BIS Act, 2016 (11 of 2016)

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is importing steel ingots accompanied by a test certificate alone, without a BIS CM/L-licensed manufacturer behind the consignment — test certificates not issued by a BIS-certified manufacturer under the ISI Mark Scheme are non-compliant under the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024, regardless of the certificate's technical content. Customs officers now cross-reference the TCQCO portal and SIMS registration in real time; a consignment lacking a valid CM/L-backed test certificate is liable to detention, with disposal as scrap under Section 17(1)(b) of the BIS Act, 2016 as the statutory outcome for sub-standard or non-conforming product.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7206 10 90 require BIS certification?

Yes. Non-alloy steel ingots 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 per S.O. 3716(E). 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. The registration fee is ₹500, valid for 75 days, applied for no earlier than 60 days before the expected arrival date.

What is the TCQCO portal requirement and when does it apply?

The Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023, as clarified by CBIC vide F.No. 401/88/2023-Cus.III dated 09-11-2023, requires all steel importers to apply on the TCQCO portal for each consignment imported without a BIS CM/L licence or certification. This is a mandatory pre-importation step for uncertified consignments.

Does the SIMS re-import or SEZ-to-DTA carve-out also exempt the BIS QCO obligation?

No. DGFT carve-outs under policy circular 38/2015-20 (re-import for packaging; SEZ-to-DTA movements) affect only the SIMS registration requirement. The BIS QCO obligation under S.O. 3716(E) is not waived by either carve-out.

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