OTS/MR Type

Tin-coated flat-rolled steel, thickness less than 0.5 mm (tinplate, OTS, MR type)

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7210 12 10 (tin-coated flat-rolled iron or non-alloy steel of thickness less than 0.5 mm, OTS/MR type) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order under the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024, notified vide S.O. 3716(E) dated 29 August 2024. Conformity to the Indian Standard mapped in Schedule 1 of the controlling Quality Control Order is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 29 August 2024. 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

7210 12 10

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

Indian Standard mapped in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products QCO · 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 the Indian Standard mapped in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024 for this product. 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 coil or sheet in the consignment bears the ISI standard mark under the supplier's CM/L licence and is accompanied by a BIS-certified manufacturer's test certificate bearing the standard mark. The test certificate must travel with each consignment — not just the lead shipment.
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, paying the ₹500 registration fee. Apply no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival; the automatic registration number is valid for 75 days and must remain within validity at the time of arrival.
DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023 · Policy Condition 5 of Chapter 72
4
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number and the SIMS registration number on the bill of entry. If the consignment lacks BIS certification, apply and seek clarification on the TCQCO portal for each such consignment before customs filing, as mandated by the Ministry of Steel circular.
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 importing seconds, defective tinplates, tinplate waste, or tinplate misprints, comply with value restrictions, port restrictions, and Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirements. Confirm whether the Madras High Court price restriction on prime tinplates applies to the consignment's commercial terms.
Policy Conditions 1 and 3 of Chapter 72 · Madras HC Order dated 21-01-2004 in W.P. 38864 and 38865 of 2003

A word of counsel

The most consequential error on this tariff line is importing against a CM/L licence whose product scope does not specifically cover the OTS/MR type designation and sub-0.5 mm thickness band. Steel and Steel Products QCO licences are scope-specific to product form, standard, and facility; a CM/L covering thicker tinplate or a different temper designation does not extend to OTS/MR type material. Customs verifies the CM/L product scope in real time against the BIS register, and a scope mismatch — however minor the dimensional difference — triggers detention, demurrage, and a mandatory TCQCO portal clarification cycle on the unlicensed consignment.

Need a regulatory steer on this product?

Speak to a regulatory counsel about your specific HSN, IS, and supplier situation.

Speak to an Expert

Frequently asked

Does HSN 7210 12 10 require BIS certification?

Yes. This tariff line falls under the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024, notified vide S.O. 3716(E). Import requires a BIS CM/L-licensed manufacturer under the ISI Mark Scheme, with effect from 29 August 2024.

Is SIMS registration required in addition to BIS QCO compliance?

Yes. Steel Import Monitoring System registration is a separate customs-clearance overlay administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade. Fee ₹500, validity 75 days; the registration must be live at the time of arrival.

Are re-imports for packaging or SEZ-DTA movements exempt from SIMS registration?

Yes, under DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022. Re-imports of steel for packaging only, and SEZ-to-DTA movements, are carved out from SIMS. The BIS QCO obligation under S.O. 3716(E) is not waived by either SIMS carve-out.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all tinplate variants and thicknesses from the same manufacturer?

No. The CM/L is scope-specific by product designation, thickness range, temper, and manufacturing facility; OTS/MR type material below 0.5 mm must fall expressly within the licensed scope, and material outside that scope is not covered.

Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-18. Source: BIS / SIMS / DGFT / CBIC / Indian Customs CUSDATA.