Other

Electrolytically zinc-coated flat-rolled iron or non-alloy steel sheets and strips

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · IS 17404 · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7210 30 99 (electrolytically zinc-coated flat-rolled iron or non-alloy steel, width 600 mm or more) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 17404:2020 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

7210 30 99

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 17404:2020 · 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 17404:2020 for electrogalvanized (hot-rolled) and cold-reduced carbon steel sheets and strips. Verify the CM/L number, licensed product scope, and facility address on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order.
IS 17404:2020 · Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024
2
Ensure every consignment is accompanied by a test certificate bearing the ISI standard mark issued by the BIS-licensed manufacturer. Each product must bear the standard mark under the CM/L licence 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 · BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 Scheme-I of Schedule-II
3
Register the consignment on the Steel Import Monitoring System portal not earlier than 60 days before the expected arrival date. The fee is ₹500; the automatic registration number is valid for 75 days. DTA-to-SEZ and packaging re-imports meeting the documented carve-outs are exempt from SIMS registration.
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
Apply on the TCQCO portal for each consignment imported without a BIS licence or certification, seeking clarification in accordance with the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023. Quote the BIS CM/L number and the SIMS registration number on the bill of entry; absence, expiry, or scope mismatch triggers consignment detention.
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
5
Ensure strict compliance with CBIC Instructions 16/2025-Customs dated 18-06-2025 as modified by CBIC Instruction 23/2025-Customs dated 15-07-2025, governing the mandatory mapping of the Indian Standard of the input material of steel products intended for import as notified under the QCO and requiring SIMS registration.
CBIC Instruction 16/2025-Customs dated 18-06-2025 · CBIC Instruction 23/2025-Customs dated 15-07-2025

A word of counsel

The most prevalent error on this tariff line is importing electrolytically zinc-coated steel on a CM/L licence whose licensed product scope covers only hot-rolled or only cold-reduced variants, when the consignment is the other. IS 17404:2020 applies to both electrogalvanized hot-rolled and cold-reduced carbon steel sheets and strips, but a CM/L licence is scope-specific by product variant and manufacturing facility; a scope mismatch — even with an otherwise valid licence — results in port detention, sub-standard classification, and mandatory disposal as scrap under Section 17(1)(b) of the BIS Act, 2016.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7210 30 99 require BIS certification?

Yes. Conformity to IS 17404:2020 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme; import is permitted only from manufacturers holding a current BIS CM/L licence covering the relevant product variant and manufacturing facility, with effect from 28 September 2020.

Is Steel Import Monitoring System registration required separately from BIS QCO compliance?

Yes. SIMS registration is administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, costs ₹500, and is valid for 75 days. It is independent of the BIS QCO obligation; both must be satisfied before customs clearance.

What must an importer do when importing without a BIS licence?

The importer must apply on the TCQCO portal for each such consignment and obtain clarification, in accordance with the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023 as confirmed by CBIC clarification F.No. 401/88/2023-CUS.III dated 09-11-2023. Sub-standard or non-conforming product must be disposed of as scrap under Section 17(1)(b) of the BIS Act, 2016.

Does one CM/L licence cover both hot-rolled electrogalvanized and cold-reduced variants?

No. A CM/L licence is scope-specific by product variant and manufacturing facility; hot-rolled and cold-reduced steel sheet variants each require explicit coverage within the licensed scope, and customs detains consignments where the bill of entry product falls outside the stated licence parameters.

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