Universal plates

Hot-rolled universal plates of iron or non-alloy steel, under 3 mm thick

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7208 54 20 (hot-rolled universal plates of iron or non-alloy steel, width 600 mm or more, thickness less than 3 mm) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 1079 and 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). 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 54 20

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 1079 / IS 513 · 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 1079 (for strip/coil-origin product) or IS 513 (for plates) as applicable to this consignment. Verify the 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 plate in the consignment bears the ISI mark under the supplier's CM/L licence and is accompanied by a test certificate bearing the standard mark issued by the BIS-certified manufacturer. The mark must appear on the product; packaging-only marking does not satisfy the requirement.
Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024 · Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016
3
Register the consignment on the Steel Import Monitoring System portal no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival. The registration fee is ₹500 and the automatic registration number remains valid for 75 days. SIMS carve-outs apply to re-imports for packaging only and SEZ-to-DTA movements; the BIS QCO obligation is not waived by any SIMS carve-out.
DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023 · DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022
4
If importing seconds or defective HR plates, comply with the value restriction, port restriction, and Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirement. Price restrictions on prime steel items apply to the extent specified in the Madras High Court order dated 21-01-2004 in W.P. 38864 and 38865 of 2003.
Policy conditions 1, 2 and 3 of Chapter 72 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy
5
For any consignment imported without a BIS CM/L licence or certification, apply for and obtain clarification on the TCQCO portal before clearance, as mandated by the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023. Ensure compliance with Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs clarification F.No. 401/88/2023-Cus.III dated 09-11-2023 on the same circular.
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

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is treating the S.O. 5134(E) deferred-enforcement list as a blanket suspension of the Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024 for all HR plate items. S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025 suspends enforcement only for the specific serial numbers listed in Schedule 1 — non-listed items including universal plates in this sub-heading remain in force. Importers who assume a 3-year deferral applies to their product without verifying their Schedule 1 serial number risk consignment detention at port.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7208 54 20 require BIS certification?

Yes. Hot-rolled universal plates under this tariff line require ISI Mark Scheme certification under IS 1079 or IS 513, as notified under the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order 2024 vide S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024. Import without a valid CM/L from the supplier's licensed facility is prohibited.

Is SIMS registration required separately from BIS QCO compliance?

Yes. SIMS registration is a distinct customs-clearance overlay administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade. The ₹500 fee, 75-day validity, and application window rules apply independently; a clean SIMS registration does not substitute for the BIS CM/L requirement.

Does the S.O. 5134(E) suspension of enforcement apply to this HSN?

Only if this product's Schedule 1 serial number is among those explicitly listed in S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025. Importers must verify their specific serial number against the published list; unlisted entries remain subject to immediate enforcement under S.O. 3716(E).

Does one CM/L licence cover both IS 1079 and IS 513 product variants?

No. A CM/L licence is standard-specific and scope-specific by product type and manufacturing facility. A licence against IS 1079 does not cover IS 513 plates, and vice versa; consignments must be sourced from a facility licensed against the applicable standard.

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