Universal plates

Hot-rolled universal plates of iron or non-alloy steel, 4.75 to 10 mm thick

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7208 37 20 (hot-rolled universal plates of iron or non-alloy steel, 4.75–10 mm thick) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order under the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024. Conformity to IS 2062 and IS 1079 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme by virtue of S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024. 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 37 20

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 2062 / IS 1079 · 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 IS 2062 or IS 1079 as applicable to the plate specification. Verify the CM/L number, licensed product scope, and manufacturing facility address 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 each consignment is accompanied by a test certificate bearing the ISI standard mark, issued by the BIS-certified manufacturer. The standard mark must also appear on the product itself in accordance with Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.
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, paying the ₹500 fee, no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival. The SIMS registration number is valid for 75 days; confirm it remains within validity on the bill of entry date.
DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023
4
Apply to the TCQCO portal for each consignment imported without BIS licence or certification, as mandated by Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023. Compliance with the CBIC clarification on that circular is independently required.
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
5
If importing seconds or defective HR coil, sheets, or plates, comply with the applicable value restriction, port restriction, and Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirement. Confirm whether the consignment triggers S.O. 5134(E) Schedule-1 deferral provisions, which suspend enforcement of specified serial numbers for three years from gazette publication.
Policy conditions 1, 2 and 3 of Chapter 72 · S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025 · DGFT policy circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is treating the Steel and Steel Products QCO as satisfied by the SIMS registration alone, while overlooking that every consignment must also carry a test certificate bearing the ISI standard mark issued by the BIS CM/L-licensed manufacturer. Sub-standard or defective plates that do not conform to IS 2062 or IS 1079 must be disposed of as scrap under clause (b) of sub-section (1) of Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016; failure to do so constitutes a statutory offence independent of customs detention or re-export proceedings. Separately, importers frequently miss the mandatory TCQCO portal application requirement for unlicensed consignments introduced by the Ministry of Steel circular of 20 October 2023.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7208 37 20 require BIS certification?

Yes. Hot-rolled universal plates under this tariff line must conform to IS 2062 or IS 1079 under the ISI Mark Scheme, with effect from 29 August 2024 by virtue of S.O. 3716(E). Import is permitted only from manufacturers holding a current BIS CM/L licence covering the relevant plate specification.

Is SIMS 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 obligation. The fee is ₹500, registration is valid for 75 days, and application may be made no earlier than 60 days before the expected arrival date.

Does S.O. 5134(E) defer enforcement of IS 2062 or IS 1079 for this tariff line?

S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025 defers enforcement of specified serial numbers in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products QCO for three years from gazette publication. Whether IS 2062 or IS 1079 at the serial numbers applicable to HSN 7208 37 20 fall within the deferred entries must be verified against the gazette text directly.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all plate thicknesses and grades from one manufacturer?

No. A CM/L licence is scope-specific by standard, grade, size range, and manufacturing facility. Plates outside the licensed scope or produced at an unlicensed plant are not covered, and customs detains the consignment on a scope mismatch with the BIS register.

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