Universal plates
Hot-rolled flat steel universal plates below 3 mm thickness
HSN 7208 27 20 (hot-rolled universal plates of iron or non-alloy steel below 3 mm thickness) 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.
Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, Directorate General of Foreign Trade.
- 1Source only from a Bureau of Indian Standards CM/L-licensed manufacturer holding a current licence against the Indian Standard listed for this product 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 · Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
- 2Ensure every plate in the consignment bears the ISI standard mark under the supplier's CM/L licence and is accompanied by a test certificate bearing the standard mark, issued by the BIS-certified manufacturer. Marking must appear on the product itself, and the test certificate must travel with each consignment.Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024
- 3Register the consignment on the Steel Import Monitoring System portal not earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival. Fee ₹500, registration valid for 75 days from issue; the registration must remain within validity on the date of arrival.DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023 · Policy Condition 5 of Chapter 72
- 4Apply on the TCQCO portal for clarification on each consignment imported without a BIS licence or certification, as mandated by the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023. Confirm compliance with the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs clarification issued vide F.No. 401/88/2023-CUS.III dated 09-11-2023 before filing the bill of entry.MoS Circular dated 20-10-2023 vide F.No. S-20011/14/2021-Tech · CBIC clarification F.No. 401/88/2023-CUS.III dated 09-11-2023
- 5If importing seconds or defective HR plates, comply with the value restriction, port restriction, and Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirements. Confirm the consignment is not subject to the price restriction on prime steel items per the Madras High Court order dated 21-01-2004 in WP Nos. 38864 and 38865 of 2003.Policy Conditions 1, 2, and 3 of Chapter 72 · ITC (HS) Import Policy
The single most common error on this tariff line is assuming that S.O. 5134(E) — which defers enforcement for a range of Schedule 1 serial numbers by three years — covers the specific serial entry for hot-rolled universal plates below 3 mm. The deferral list in S.O. 5134(E) is exhaustive and serial-number-specific; if this product's Schedule 1 serial number is not among those listed, the 29 August 2024 enforcement date under S.O. 3716(E) stands without abeyance. Importers who presume deferral without verifying the serial number of their specific product in Schedule 1 risk detention for unmarked non-ISI-licensed steel at port.