In coils, not further worked than hot-rolled, with patterns in relief

Hot-rolled flat steel coils with patterns in relief

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7208 10 00 (hot-rolled wide flat steel coils with patterns in relief) 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

7208 10 00

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS as 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 mapped to HSN 7208 10 00 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
2
Ensure each consignment is accompanied by a test certificate bearing the BIS standard mark, issued by the BIS-certified manufacturer. Every coil must itself bear the standard mark under Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.
S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024 · Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
3
Register the consignment on the Steel Import Monitoring System portal no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival. Pay the ₹500 registration fee; the automatic registration number is valid for 75 days and must remain within validity on the arrival date.
DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023
4
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, which require strict compliance verification of the Indian Standard for each steel input material notified under the QCO and registered on the SIMS portal.
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
5
If the consignment may lack BIS certification, apply on the TCQCO portal for a clarification before importation, as mandated by the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023. Confirm compliance with the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs clarification F.No. 401/88/2023-Cus.III dated 09-11-2023 regarding that circular.
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

A word of counsel

The single most common oversight on this tariff line is overlooking the TCQCO portal obligation when a consignment lacks a BIS CM/L licence. The Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023 makes it mandatory for every steel importer to seek a TCQCO clarification for each consignment imported without BIS certification — a step many importers bypass, assuming the SIMS registration alone satisfies the port. Bypassing TCQCO on an uncertified consignment exposes the importer to detention, mandatory disposal as scrap under Section 17(1)(b) of the BIS Act, 2016, and potential criminal liability.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7208 10 00 require BIS certification?

Yes. Hot-rolled flat steel coils with patterns in relief are covered by the ISI Mark Scheme under the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024 (S.O. 3716(E)); import is permitted only from manufacturers holding a current BIS CM/L licence for the applicable Indian Standard in Schedule 1, with effect from 29 August 2024.

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

Yes. SIMS registration is administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade and is independent of the BIS QCO obligation. The fee is ₹500, the registration is valid for 75 days, and the application may be submitted no earlier than 60 days before the expected arrival date.

Are re-imports or SEZ-to-DTA movements of this steel product exempt from SIMS?

Re-imports for packaging purposes and SEZ-to-DTA movements (with or without value addition) are exempt from SIMS registration per DGFT policy circular 38/2015-20. The BIS QCO obligation under S.O. 3716(E) is not waived by either carve-out.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all hot-rolled coil variants with patterns in relief from one manufacturer?

No. A CM/L licence is scope-specific by product specification, dimensional range, and manufacturing facility; coils outside the licensed scope or from an unlicensed plant are not covered and will be detained at port.

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