Strip

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

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7209 16 30 (cold-rolled flat-rolled steel strip of 1–3 mm thickness) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order under the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024. Conformity to IS 513 and IS 1079:2017 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme by virtue of S.O. 3716(E). Steel Import Monitoring System registration administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade applies as a separate customs-clearance overlay.

What this is

HSN code

7209 16 30

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 513 / IS 1079:2017 · 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 513 or IS 1079:2017 as applicable to the strip specification. 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 each consignment is accompanied by a test certificate bearing the ISI standard mark, issued by the BIS-licensed manufacturer. The standard mark must also appear on the product in accordance with Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.
Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024
3
If importing without BIS CM/L certification, apply on the TCQCO portal and obtain a formal clarification before the consignment arrives. 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 is mandatory for every such consignment.
Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023 · CBIC clarification F.No. 401/88/2023-CUS.III dated 09-11-2023
4
Register the consignment on the Steel Import Monitoring System portal no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival. Pay the ₹500 registration fee and retain the automatic registration number, which remains valid for 75 days.
DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023
5
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number and the SIMS registration number on the bill of entry, and ensure compliance with CBIC Instruction 16/2025-CUS dated 18-06-2025 as modified by CBIC Instruction 23/2025-CUS dated 15-07-2025 on mandatory SIMS portal registration for notified steel products. Import of seconds and defective CR coil or sheets is subject to value restriction, port restriction, and production of a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate.
CBIC Instruction 16/2025-CUS dated 18-06-2025 · CBIC Instruction 23/2025-CUS dated 15-07-2025 · Policy conditions 1, 2 and 3 of Chapter 72

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is assuming that compliance with the Steel Import Monitoring System satisfies the BIS Quality Control Order. SIMS is a customs-clearance overlay; the statutory hook that triggers detention under Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016 is the import of strip not bearing the ISI standard mark from a manufacturer without a current CM/L licence against IS 513 or IS 1079:2017. A clean SIMS registration provides no defence against BIS enforcement action on non-conforming material, and sub-standard product that does not conform to the specified standard must be disposed of as scrap.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7209 16 30 require BIS certification?

Yes. Cold-rolled flat-rolled steel strip of 1–3 mm thickness requires ISI Mark Scheme CM/L licensing against IS 513 or IS 1079:2017 under the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024, by virtue of S.O. 3716(E).

Is SIMS registration required separately from BIS QCO compliance?

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

Do the SIMS carve-outs for re-import and SEZ movements also exempt the BIS QCO obligation?

No. The SIMS carve-outs under DGFT policy circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022 relate solely to the SIMS registration requirement; the BIS QCO marking and CM/L licence obligation under S.O. 3716(E) continues to apply.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all strip specifications and thickness ranges for this HSN?

No. A CM/L licence is scope-specific by standard (IS 513 or IS 1079:2017), product specification, thickness range, and manufacturing facility; strip outside the licensed scope or from a different plant is not covered.

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