Electrical quality

Semi-finished electrical-quality steel billets of rectangular cross-section

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7207 12 10 (semi-finished electrical-quality iron or non-alloy steel of rectangular cross-section) 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

7207 12 10

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS per Schedule 1 of Steel and Steel Products QCO, 2024 · 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 covers the Indian Standard mapped in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products QCO, 2024 for this product. Verify the CM/L number, licensed product scope, and manufacturing facility address 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 each consignment is accompanied by a test certificate bearing the ISI standard mark, issued by the BIS-licensed manufacturer. The test certificate must be product-specific and traceable to the consignment; absence of this certificate is independent grounds for detention.
Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024
3
Confirm that the semi-finished product bears the ISI standard mark under the manufacturer's CM/L licence per Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Sub-standard or non-conforming material must be disposed of as scrap without misuse of the standard mark.
Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016
4
Register 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 registration number is valid for 75 days. Re-imports for packaging only and SEZ-to-DTA movements without value addition are exempt from SIMS.
DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023 · DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022
5
If importing without BIS licence or certification, apply on the TCQCO portal for a consignment-level clarification as mandated by the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023. Ensure compliance with Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs Instruction 16/2025-CUS dated 18-06-2025 as modified by Instruction 23/2025-CUS dated 15-07-2025 regarding mandatory SIMS registration for QCO-mapped steel inputs.
MoS Circular F.No. S-20011/14/2021-Tech dated 20-10-2023 · CBIC F.No. 401/88/2023-Cus.III dated 09-11-2023 · CBIC Instruction 16/2025-CUS dated 18-06-2025 · CBIC Instruction 23/2025-CUS dated 15-07-2025

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is assuming the 'electrical quality' sub-description refers to a unique downstream exemption rather than a product-scope qualifier within Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products QCO, 2024. Importers occasionally attempt entry without a CM/L-licensed supplier on the basis that the electrical-quality grade is a niche product with limited licensed manufacturers — the QCO obligation under S.O. 3716(E) is unconditional, and arrival without a supplier CM/L licence triggers statutory detention and mandatory disposal as scrap under Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7207 12 10 require BIS certification?

Yes. Conformity to the Indian Standard in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme from 29 August 2024; import is permitted only from manufacturers holding a current BIS CM/L licence covering this product.

Is Steel Import Monitoring System registration required separately from BIS QCO compliance?

Yes. SIMS registration is administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade independently of the BIS QCO obligation; the fee is ₹500, validity is 75 days, and application may be made no earlier than 60 days before the expected arrival date.

What happens if the semi-finished steel arrives without a valid CM/L licence or standard mark?

Under S.O. 3716(E) and Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016, non-conforming or sub-standard material must be disposed of as scrap. The importer must also seek clarification on the TCQCO portal per the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023 before customs clearance can proceed.

Does one CM/L licence cover all electrical-quality semi-finished steel grades and manufacturing facilities?

No. A CM/L licence is specific to the Indian Standard, product grade, and licensed manufacturing facility; material from an unlicensed plant or outside the licensed product scope is not covered and cannot bear the ISI mark.

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