Universal plates

Hot-rolled flat steel, universal plates under 3 mm thick

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7208 39 20 (hot-rolled universal plates of iron or non-alloy steel, width 600 mm or more, less than 3 mm thick) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 1079 or IS 513 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme, by virtue of the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order 2024, 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 39 20

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 1079 / IS 513 · 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 (for strip/coil product scope) or IS 513 (for plates). 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 consignment is accompanied by a test certificate bearing the ISI standard mark, issued by the BIS-certified manufacturer. Each product must bear the standard mark under the CM/L licence; sub-standard or defective material must be disposed of as scrap per Section 17(1)(b) of the BIS Act, 2016.
Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024 · Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016 (11 of 2016)
3
Register the consignment on the SIMS portal, paying ₹500, no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival. The automatic registration number is valid for 75 days; it must remain within validity on the date of arrival. The minimum 15-day advance registration requirement has been abolished.
DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023 · DGFT Notification 19/2015-20 dated 07-07-2022
4
For each consignment imported without BIS licence or certification, apply for and obtain a clarification on the TCQCO portal as mandated by the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023. Quote the BIS CM/L number and SIMS registration number on the bill of entry; either being absent, expired, or scope-mismatched triggers consignment detention.
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 coil/sheets/plates, comply with value restriction, port restriction, and Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirements. Verify whether the specific IS serial number entry in Schedule 1 is within the three-year non-operative period under S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025.
Policy conditions 1, 2 and 3 of Chapter 72 · S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025 · Madras HC Order dated 21-01-2004 in WP Nos. 38864 and 38865 of 2003

A word of counsel

The critical error on this tariff line is failing to determine whether the specific IS serial number entry applicable to this HSN is among those rendered non-operative for three years by S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025. Importers who proceed on the assumption that the QCO obligation is uniformly suspended — or, conversely, who apply for BIS certification on an entry already suspended — waste compliance spend or face wrongful detention. Confirm the operative status of the relevant IS entry against the current Schedule 1 position before the purchase order is placed.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7208 39 20 require BIS certification?

Yes. Universal plates under 3 mm thick require conformity to IS 1079 or IS 513 under the ISI Mark Scheme, by virtue of the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order 2024, S.O. 3716(E). Import is permitted only from manufacturers holding a current BIS CM/L licence covering the relevant product scope.

Is SIMS registration required separately from BIS QCO compliance?

Yes. SIMS registration is administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade independently of the BIS QCO. The registration fee is ₹500, valid for 75 days, and applications may be submitted no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival.

Does S.O. 5134(E) suspend the BIS QCO obligation for this product?

S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025 renders certain IS entries in Schedule 1 non-operative for three years. Whether the IS entry governing this specific HSN falls within the listed serial numbers must be verified against the current Schedule 1; the suspension is entry-specific, not a blanket waiver.

Does a single CM/L licence cover both IS 1079 and IS 513 product scopes?

No. A CM/L licence is scope-specific; coverage against IS 1079 (strip/coil) does not automatically extend to IS 513 (plates). The licence must explicitly cover the IS standard, product specification, and manufacturing facility applicable to the consignment.

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