Other

Hot-rolled flat steel, width 600 mm or more, thickness exceeding 10 mm

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7208 36 90 (hot-rolled flat-rolled iron or non-alloy steel, width 600 mm or more, thickness exceeding 10 mm) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 1079 and IS 2062 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme by virtue of the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024 notified vide 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 36 90

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 1079 / IS 2062 · effective 14-11-2021

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 IS 1079 or IS 2062 as applicable. Verify the supplier's 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 coil or plate in the consignment bears the ISI mark and the supplier's CM/L number, and is accompanied by a test certificate bearing the standard mark issued by the BIS-certified manufacturer. Marking must appear on the product itself, not packaging alone.
Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024 · BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
3
Register the consignment on the Steel Import Monitoring System portal not earlier than 60 days before the expected arrival date. Fee ₹500, registration valid 75 days; the SIMS registration number 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
4
If the consignment is imported without a BIS CM/L licence or certification, apply and seek prior clarification on the TCQCO portal for the specific consignment as mandated by the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023. Quote the CBIC clarification reference F.No.401/88/23-CUS.III on the bill of entry.
Ministry of Steel circular F.No.S-20011/14/2021-TECH dated 20-10-2023 · CBIC clarification F.No.401/88/23-CUS.III dated 09-11-2023
5
If the consignment comprises seconds or defective HR coils or sheets, comply with value restriction, port restriction, and Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirements. Confirm whether any deferral under S.O. 5134(E) applies to the specific serial number entry governing this product in Schedule 1 of the QCO.
Policy Conditions 1, 2 and 3 of Chapter 72 · S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025

A word of counsel

The most consequential oversight on this tariff line is failing to reconcile dual IS standards: IS 1079 covers hot-rolled steel strip and sheets in general, while IS 2062 covers structural steel used in engineering applications — the licensed CM/L must match the actual end-use specification of the imported product. Submitting a CM/L against IS 1079 for material that customs or the buyer's inspection identifies as structural-grade IS 2062 product results in detention and a mandatory scrap-disposal order under Section 17(1)(b) of the BIS Act, 2016, with no option for re-export of substandard material.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7208 36 90 require BIS certification?

Yes. Hot-rolled flat steel under this tariff line must conform to IS 1079 or IS 2062 under the ISI Mark Scheme, as mandated by the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024 vide S.O. 3716(E); import is permitted only from manufacturers holding a current BIS CM/L licence covering the relevant product scope.

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 DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 and is independent of the BIS QCO. Fee ₹500, registration valid 75 days, application permitted no earlier than 60 days before the expected arrival date.

Does S.O. 5134(E) defer enforcement for this tariff line?

S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025 suspends enforcement for specific serial numbers in Schedule 1 of the QCO for three years from gazette publication; importers must verify whether the serial number entry governing HSN 7208 36 90 is listed among those deferred before relying on the deferral.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all thickness ranges and both IS 1079 and IS 2062 specifications?

No. A CM/L licence is scope-specific by standard, thickness range, and manufacturing facility; material outside the licensed specification 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.