Universal plates
Hot-rolled universal plates of iron or non-alloy steel, 4.75 to 10 mm thick
HSN 7208 52 20 (hot-rolled universal plates of iron or non-alloy steel, 4.75 to 10 mm thick) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order under the Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024 vide S.O. 3716(E). Conformity to IS 2062 or IS 1079 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme, with each consignment accompanied by a BIS-certified test certificate bearing the standard mark. Steel Import Monitoring System registration administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade applies as a separate customs-clearance overlay.
Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, Directorate General of Foreign Trade.
- 1Source only from a Bureau of Indian Standards CM/L-licensed manufacturer holding a current licence against IS 2062 or IS 1079 for hot-rolled steel plates. 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 QCO 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024 · Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
- 2Ensure each consignment is accompanied by a test certificate bearing the standard mark, issued by the BIS-certified manufacturer. Every plate must itself bear the ISI mark under the CM/L licence; marking on packaging alone does not satisfy the statutory requirement.Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024 · Schedule 1, column (3) obligations
- 3Register the consignment on the Steel Import Monitoring System portal, paying the ₹500 registration fee, not earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival. The automatic registration number remains valid for 75 days; confirm it remains within validity on the arrival date.DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023 · ITC (HS) Chapter 72 policy condition 5
- 4If the consignment comprises seconds or defective HR plates, note that import is subject to value restriction, port restriction, and production of a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate. Price restrictions on prime steel items apply per the Madras High Court order dated 21-01-2004 in W.P. 38864 and 38865 of 2003.ITC (HS) Chapter 72 policy conditions 1, 2, and 3
- 5For any steel consignment imported without a BIS licence or certification, apply and seek clarification on the TCQCO portal before import, as mandated by the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023 and clarified by CBIC vide F.No. 401/88/2023-Cus.III dated 09-11-2023. Quote the BIS CM/L number and the SIMS registration number on the bill of entry.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
The most consequential oversight on this tariff line is importing plates where the CM/L licence covers a different thickness range or a different manufacturing facility than the actual consignment — a scope-mismatch that customs detects via real-time BIS register verification at the port. Sub-standard or defective product that fails to conform to the specified Indian Standard must be disposed of as scrap in accordance with clause (b) of sub-section (1) of Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016; any attempt to sell or distribute non-conforming plates exposes the importer to criminal liability, not merely monetary penalty.