Sheets

Cold-rolled flat-rolled steel sheets, 1 mm to 3 mm thick

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7209 16 20 (cold-rolled flat-rolled steel sheets of 1–3 mm thickness) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 513 or IS 1079 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme by virtue of the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024 vide 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

7209 16 20

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 513 / IS 1079 · effective 28-09-2020

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 513 (for cold-rolled steel plates/sheets) or IS 1079 (for cold-rolled strips/sheets, as applicable). Verify the 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 Quality Control Order, 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024 · BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · Scheme-I of Schedule-II
2
Ensure every sheet or coil in the consignment bears the ISI mark under a BIS licence per Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Each consignment must also 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 · Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
3
Register the consignment on the Steel Import Monitoring System portal no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival. Fee ₹500; the automatic registration number is valid for 75 days. Confirm SIMS registration remains within validity on the date of arrival.
Policy condition 5 of Chapter 72 · DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023
4
Quote both the supplier's BIS CM/L number and the SIMS registration number on the bill of entry. If the consignment is imported without BIS licence or certification, apply for clarification on the TCQCO portal for each such consignment, in compliance with the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023 and CBIC clarification F.No. 401/88/2023-Cus.III dated 09-11-2023.
MoS 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 importing seconds or defective CR coils or sheets, note that such imports are subject to value restriction, port restriction, and production of a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate. Sub-standard or defective material that does not conform to the specified Indian Standard must be disposed of as scrap in compliance with Section 17(1)(b) of the BIS Act, 2016.
Policy conditions 1, 2, and 3 of Chapter 72 · Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016 (11 of 2016) · Madras High Court Order dated 21-01-2004 in WP Nos. 38864 and 38865 of 2003

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is failing to confirm which of the two applicable Indian Standards — IS 513 or IS 1079 — governs the specific product variant being imported, and then discovering at port that the supplier's CM/L licence is scoped to the other standard. Customs verifies the CM/L scope in real time against the BIS register; a scope mismatch between the licensed standard and the declared product triggers consignment detention irrespective of a clean SIMS registration. Verify the exact IS mapping for your product variant, and obtain written confirmation of the supplier's licensed scope before the purchase order.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7209 16 20 require BIS certification?

Yes. Cold-rolled steel sheets of 1–3 mm thickness under this tariff line require conformity to IS 513 or IS 1079 under the ISI Mark Scheme, enforced by the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024 vide S.O. 3716(E). Import is permitted only from a manufacturer holding a current BIS CM/L licence covering the relevant standard and product scope.

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, validity 75 days, apply no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival. Re-imports for packaging only and SEZ-to-DTA movements without value addition are exempt from SIMS under DGFT policy circular 38/2015-20.

Does S.O. 5134(E) suspend the IS 513 or IS 1079 obligation for this tariff line?

S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025 suspends enforcement for specific serial numbers in Schedule 1 of the QCO for three years from gazette publication. Importers must verify whether the serial number corresponding to IS 513 or IS 1079 for this tariff item is among those listed in S.O. 5134(E) before relying on any suspension.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all thickness variants and manufacturing facilities for cold-rolled steel sheets?

No. A CM/L licence is scope-specific by Indian Standard, product form, thickness range, and licensed manufacturing facility. Sheets outside the licensed scope, or produced at an unlicensed plant, are not covered and will be detained at customs.

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