Universal plates

Hot-rolled universal plates of iron or non-alloy steel, 3 mm to 4.75 mm thick

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7208 26 20 (hot-rolled universal plates of iron or non-alloy steel, 3 mm to 4.75 mm thickness) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to the Indian Standard listed 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

7208 26 20

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 plate bears the ISI standard mark under the supplier's CM/L licence per Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Each consignment must 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 · BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
3
Check whether the specific IS serial number applicable to this product is among those deferred by S.O. 5134(E). Those serial numbers listed therein are not operative for 3 years from the date of gazette publication; confirm the current status on the BIS register before import.
S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025 · Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024
4
Register the consignment on the Steel Import Monitoring System portal not earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival. The registration fee is ₹500 and the automatic registration number remains valid for 75 days from issue.
DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023 · ITC (HS) policy condition 5 of Chapter 72
5
For consignments imported without BIS licence or certification, apply on the TCQCO portal for each consignment as mandated by the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023, and ensure compliance with Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs clarification F.No. 401/88/2023-Cus.III dated 09-11-2023. Quote the BIS CM/L number and SIMS registration number on the bill of entry.
MoS 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 most common failure on this tariff line is importing without first verifying whether the applicable IS serial number has been deferred under S.O. 5134(E) — importers either proceed on the assumption that the QCO is fully operative and detain consignments needlessly, or assume deferral without confirming it, leaving them exposed to detention for unmarked product. Additionally, importers of seconds or defective hot-rolled plates must produce a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate and satisfy port and value restrictions under policy conditions 1, 2, and 3 of Chapter 72; failure to do so triggers consignment detention independently of the BIS QCO status.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7208 26 20 require BIS certification?

Yes. These plates must conform to the Indian Standard specified in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024 under the ISI Mark Scheme, with effect from 29 August 2024. Import is permitted only from manufacturers holding a current BIS CM/L licence.

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 registration fee is ₹500, validity is 75 days, and application may be made no earlier than 60 days before expected arrival.

Does S.O. 5134(E) defer enforcement of the BIS QCO for this product?

S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025 suspends enforcement for specific IS serial numbers listed in Schedule 1 for 3 years from gazette publication. Whether this HSN's corresponding IS serial number is among those deferred must be verified against Schedule 1 before import.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all plate dimensions and specifications from the same manufacturer?

No. A CM/L licence is scope-specific by Indian Standard, product specification, and manufacturing facility; plates outside the licensed specification or from an unlicensed plant are not covered and customs will detain the consignment on a scope mismatch.

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