Other

Semi-finished iron and non-alloy steel with 0.25% or more carbon

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7207 20 90 (semi-finished iron and non-alloy steel containing 0.25% or more carbon by weight) 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, per S.O. 3716(E). Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) registration administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade applies as a separate customs-clearance overlay.

What this is

HSN code

7207 20 90

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 current against the Indian Standard mapped in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024. Verify the CM/L number, licensed product scope, and 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 semi-finished product bears the ISI standard mark under CM/L licence and is accompanied by a test certificate bearing the standard mark, issued by the BIS-certified manufacturer, with each consignment.
Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024
3
Check whether the specific serial number in Schedule 1 covering this product is subject to a deferral under S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025. Selected serial numbers in Schedule 1 are non-operative for 1 or 3 years from that date; confirm the operative status before shipment.
S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025
4
Register the consignment on the Steel Import Monitoring System portal no earlier than 60 days before the expected arrival date, paying ₹500. The registration number is valid for 75 days; it must remain within validity on the date of arrival. SEZ-to-DTA movements without value addition and re-imports for packaging 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 the consignment arrives without BIS certification, apply for clarification on the TCQCO portal as mandated by the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023 before clearance. Quote the BIS CM/L number and SIMS registration number on the bill of entry; comply with CBIC Instruction 16/2025-CUS dated 18-06-2025 as modified by CBIC Instruction 23/2025-CUS dated 15-07-2025 for the applicable Indian Standard.
Ministry of Steel circular 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 single most common error on this tariff line is importing without first confirming whether the specific Schedule 1 serial number covering this product has been deferred under S.O. 5134(E). Importers frequently assume that the 29 August 2024 enforcement date is the only operative date and proceed with shipments for which the BIS QCO obligation has been suspended for 1 or 3 years — or conversely, fail to source a CM/L-licensed supplier on a serial number that remains fully operative. Resolve the operative-or-deferred status of the mapped serial number before the purchase order, not at the port.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7207 20 90 require BIS certification?

Yes. This tariff line falls under the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024, requiring conformity to the Indian Standard mapped in Schedule 1, under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 29 August 2024. Import from a CM/L-unlicensed manufacturer is prohibited.

Is SIMS registration required separately from BIS QCO compliance?

Yes. SIMS registration is administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, costs ₹500, and remains valid for 75 days. It is independent of the BIS CM/L obligation; both must be satisfied before customs clearance.

Do the deferral entries under S.O. 5134(E) affect this product?

They may. S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025 suspends enforcement for specified serial numbers in Schedule 1 for either 1 or 3 years. The operative status of the serial number mapped to HSN 7207 20 90 must be confirmed against that notification before each shipment.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all semi-finished steel variants and facilities?

No. A CM/L licence is specific to the licensed Indian Standard, product scope, and manufacturing facility; semi-finished steel outside the licensed specification or produced at an unlicensed plant is not covered.

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