Strip

Hot-rolled non-alloy steel flat-rolled strip, 3 mm to 4.75 mm thick

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7208 26 40 (hot-rolled pickled strip of iron or non-alloy steel, 3 mm to less than 4.75 mm) 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 40

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 holding a current licence against the Indian Standard mapped to this tariff item in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024. Verify the CM/L number, licensed product scope, thickness range, 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 strip in the consignment bears the ISI standard mark under the supplier's CM/L licence, and that each consignment is accompanied by a test certificate bearing the standard mark, issued by the BIS-certified manufacturer. Marking must appear on the product itself.
Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024
3
Check whether your Schedule 1 serial number is among those whose enforcement has been deferred by S.O. 5134(E) for three years from its gazette publication date of 20-11-2025. If the serial number is deferred, document that basis; the ISI marking obligation does not apply during the deferral period.
S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025 amending Schedule 1 of the 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 automatic registration number is valid for 75 days; ensure it remains within validity on the date of arrival.
Policy Condition 5 of Chapter 72 · DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023
5
For any consignment imported without BIS licence or certification, apply for and obtain clarification from the Ministry of Steel TCQCO portal before customs clearance, as mandated by the MoS Circular dated 20-10-2023. Quote the BIS CM/L number and SIMS registration number on the bill of entry; customs verifies both in real time.
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 single most common error on this tariff line is failing to cross-reference the specific Schedule 1 serial number against S.O. 5134(E) before initiating procurement. S.O. 5134(E) defers enforcement for a defined list of serial numbers for three years from 20 November 2025 — importers who proceed on the assumption that all Schedule 1 entries are simultaneously active risk either unnecessary compliance spend on deferred items or, conversely, shipment detention for un-deferred items where no valid CM/L is in place. Confirm the operative status of the relevant serial number against the current gazette text before contracting.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7208 26 40 require BIS certification?

Yes. This tariff item is covered by the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order 2024 under S.O. 3716(E). Conformity to the corresponding Indian Standard in Schedule 1 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme from 29 August 2024, requiring 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 under Policy Condition 5 of Chapter 72 and is independent of the BIS obligation. Registration fee is ₹500, valid for 75 days, applied no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival.

Does S.O. 5134(E) suspend the BIS QCO obligation for all serial numbers in Schedule 1?

No. S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025 defers enforcement only for the specific serial numbers listed in that notification for three years from its gazette date. All other Schedule 1 entries, including those applicable to this HSN if not listed, remain operative.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all thickness ranges and facilities of the same manufacturer?

No. A CM/L licence is scope-specific by product specification, thickness range, and licensed manufacturing facility; strip outside the licensed scope or from an unlicensed plant is 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.