Universal plates

Hot-rolled universal plates of iron or non-alloy steel with relief patterns

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7208 40 20 (hot-rolled universal plates with patterns in relief) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order under the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024. Conformity to the applicable Indian Standard is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme 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 40 20

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 1079 / IS 2062 · effective per S.O. 3716(E)

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 to the product specification. Verify the supplier's CM/L number, licensed product scope, and licensed 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 standard mark, issued by the BIS-certified manufacturer, and that each plate bears the ISI mark under the supplier's CM/L licence. Marking must appear on the product, not packaging alone.
Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024 · Section 17(1)(b) of the BIS Act, 2016
3
Register the consignment on the SIMS portal, paying the ₹500 fee, not 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.
DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023 · ITC (HS) Import Policy Chapter 72, Policy Condition 5
4
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number and the SIMS registration number on the bill of entry. For any steel consignment imported without BIS licence or certification, apply for and seek clarification on the TCQCO portal per the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023, confirmed by CBIC clarification F.No.401/88/2023-CUS.III dated 09-11-2023.
Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023 · CBIC clarification F.No.401/88/2023-CUS.III dated 09-11-2023 · CBIC Instruction 16/2025-CUS dated 18-06-2025 as modified by CBIC Instruction 23/2025-CUS dated 15-07-2025
5
If the consignment comprises seconds or defective plates, comply with the value restriction, port restriction, and Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirements. Confirm the SIMS carve-outs for re-import for packaging or SEZ-DTA movements are documented if invoked.
ITC (HS) Import Policy Chapter 72, Policy Conditions 1, 2 and 3 · DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022

A word of counsel

The most consequential oversight on this tariff line is failing to identify which IS number — IS 1079 or IS 2062 — governs the specific product specification being imported, and then sourcing from a manufacturer whose CM/L is scoped to the other standard. Both standards appear in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024, and the CM/L licence is specification-specific; a consignment of universal plates marked under a CM/L scoped to IS 2062 where IS 1079 applies, or vice versa, will be detained at port regardless of the apparent validity of the licence. Confirm the applicable IS number against Schedule 1 of the QCO and the supplier's CM/L scope before the purchase order is placed.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7208 40 20 require BIS certification?

Yes. Hot-rolled universal plates with patterns in relief are governed by 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 against IS 1079 or IS 2062, as applicable, under the ISI Mark Scheme.

Is SIMS registration required separately from BIS QCO compliance?

Yes. SIMS registration is administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade and is independent of the BIS QCO obligation; fee ₹500, valid 75 days, apply no earlier than 60 days before the expected arrival date.

What is the TCQCO portal obligation for consignments imported without BIS certification?

Every steel consignment imported without a BIS licence or certification must be referred to the TCQCO portal for clarification, as mandated by the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023 and confirmed by CBIC clarification F.No.401/88/2023-CUS.III dated 09-11-2023.

Does a single CM/L licence cover both IS 1079 and IS 2062 product specifications?

No. A CM/L licence is specification-specific and facility-specific; a manufacturer licensed against IS 1079 does not automatically cover IS 2062 product variants, and customs will detain a consignment where the CM/L scope does not match the applicable standard.

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