Other

Hot-rolled flat steel, pickled, 4.75 mm to 10 mm thick

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7208 37 90 (hot-rolled flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, width ≥ 600 mm, thickness 4.75–10 mm) is covered by the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order 2024 issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards. 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 registration administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade applies as a separate customs-clearance overlay.

What this is

HSN code

7208 37 90

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 specific grade). Verify the CM/L number, licensed product scope, grade 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 bears the ISI mark and the supplier's CM/L number traceable to the licensed facility. 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
Register the consignment on the Steel Import Monitoring System portal, paying a fee of ₹500. 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 · Policy Condition 5 of Chapter 72
4
If importing without a BIS licence or certification, apply and seek clarification on the TCQCO portal for the specific consignment, as mandated by the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023. Verify compliance with CBIC clarification vide F.No. 401/88/2023-Cus.III dated 09-11-2023 on the same circular.
Ministry of Steel Circular dated 20-10-2023, F.No. S-20011/14/2021-Tech · CBIC clarification F.No. 401/88/2023-Cus.III dated 09-11-2023
5
If importing seconds or defective HR coils or sheets, observe applicable value restrictions, port restrictions, and the Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirement. Sub-standard product that fails the specified standard must be disposed of as scrap without violating Section 17(1)(b) of the BIS Act, 2016.
Policy Conditions 1, 2, and 3 of Chapter 72 · Section 17(1)(b) of the BIS Act, 2016

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is treating S.O. 5134(E) — which defers enforcement for specified serial numbers in Schedule 1 of the 2024 QCO — as a blanket deferral for all HR flat-rolled steel. The deferral applies only to the enumerated serial numbers (24, 37, 48, 55, 68–69, and others listed); importers who assume their product falls within the deferred list without confirming the exact serial-number mapping face detention and mandatory TCQCO-portal referral on arrival. Confirm your product's Schedule 1 serial number against S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025 before concluding no BIS licence is required.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7208 37 90 require BIS certification?

Yes. This tariff line is governed by the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024 under S.O. 3716(E); conformity to IS 2062 or IS 1079 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme, and import is permitted only from manufacturers holding 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 independently of the BIS obligation; fee ₹500, valid for 75 days, applied no earlier than 60 days before the expected arrival date per DGFT Notification 28/2023.

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

Only if the product's Schedule 1 serial number is among those specifically listed in S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025. Importers must confirm their exact serial-number mapping; the deferral is not a general relaxation across all flat-rolled steel items.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all grades and thicknesses from the same manufacturer?

No. A CM/L licence is scope-specific by standard (IS 2062 or IS 1079), grade, thickness range, and licensed facility; product outside the licensed scope or from an unlicensed plant is not covered and is subject to detention at port.

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