Universal plates

Hot-rolled flat steel universal plates exceeding 10 mm thickness

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7208 36 20 (hot-rolled flat steel universal plates exceeding 10 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 (SIMS) registration administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade applies as a separate customs-clearance overlay.

What this is

HSN code

7208 36 20

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 covers hot-rolled universal plates of this thickness class. Verify the supplier's 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 or coil in the consignment bears the ISI standard mark and the CM/L number issued by BIS. 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
3
Check whether the specific Schedule-1 serial number mapped to this HSN falls within the deferred-enforcement list under S.O. 5134(E). If the serial number appears in that notification, enforcement is suspended for 3 years from its gazette publication date; document the basis for any deferral claim on the bill of entry.
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, paying the ₹500 fee and obtaining the automatic registration number. Apply no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival; the registration number remains valid for 75 days.
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
If the consignment is imported without BIS licence or certification, apply for a clarification on the TCQCO portal before importation as mandated by the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023 and confirmed by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs vide F.No. 401/88/2023-Cus.III dated 09-11-2023.
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 consequential oversight on this tariff line is failing to verify whether the specific Schedule-1 serial number for this HSN falls within the deferred-enforcement list under S.O. 5134(E) before seeking or certifying BIS CM/L compliance — importers either incur unnecessary compliance spend on a currently deferred line, or, more dangerously, assume deferral applies when the product's serial number is not on the list and proceed without a valid CM/L, triggering consignment detention and mandatory disposal of non-conforming stock as scrap under Section 17(1)(b) of the BIS Act, 2016.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7208 36 20 require BIS certification?

Yes. Hot-rolled flat steel universal plates exceeding 10 mm thickness are covered by the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024 under S.O. 3716(E), requiring conformity to the mapped Indian Standard under the ISI Mark Scheme from 29 August 2024; import is permitted only from manufacturers holding a current BIS CM/L licence.

Is SIMS registration required separately from the BIS QCO obligation?

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

Does the deferred-enforcement notification under S.O. 5134(E) apply to this HSN?

Only if the Schedule-1 serial number mapped to HSN 7208 36 20 is among those listed in S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025, in which case enforcement is suspended for 3 years from that gazette date. If the serial number is not listed, the 29 August 2024 enforcement date under S.O. 3716(E) applies in full.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all plate thicknesses and manufacturing facilities?

No. A CM/L licence is scope-specific by product specification, thickness range, and licensed manufacturing facility; plates outside the licensed scope or produced at an unlicensed plant are not covered and are subject to detention and disposal as scrap.

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