Universal plates

Universal plates of iron or non-alloy steel, narrow width

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7211 14 20 (universal plates of iron or non-alloy steel, width less than 600 mm, thickness 4.75 mm or more) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to the Indian Standard mapped in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 29 August 2024, by virtue of S.O. 3716(E). Steel Import Monitoring System registration administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade and Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs policy conditions apply as separate customs-clearance overlays.

What this is

HSN code

7211 14 20

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS per Schedule 1 of S.O. 3716(E) · 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 with a current licence covering the applicable Indian Standard under Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products QCO, 2024. Verify the supplier's 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
2
Ensure each consignment is accompanied by a test certificate bearing the ISI standard mark, issued by the BIS-licensed manufacturer. Every plate must bear the ISI mark under a CM/L licence, in accordance with Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.
S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024 · Scheme-I of Schedule-II, BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
3
Register the consignment on the Steel Import Monitoring System portal not earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival. Fee ₹500; the automatic registration number is valid for 75 days and must remain within validity on the date 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
If the consignment is imported without BIS CM/L certification, apply for and obtain clarification through the TCQCO portal before importation, as mandated for all steel importers. Ensure compliance with the CBIC clarification on this requirement.
Ministry of Steel Circular dated 20-10-2023 · CBIC F.No. 401/88/2023-Cus.III dated 09-11-2023
5
If importing seconds or defective plates, comply with the applicable value restriction, port restriction, and Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirement. Sub-standard or defective steel that does not conform to the specified standard must be disposed of as scrap in accordance with Section 17(1)(b) of the BIS Act, 2016.
Policy Conditions 1, 2, and 3 of Chapter 72 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024 · BIS Act, 2016

A word of counsel

The most common oversight on this tariff line is failing to check whether the serial number corresponding to the applicable Indian Standard in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products QCO, 2024 falls within the deferred-enforcement list under S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025, which suspends enforcement at specific serial numbers for three years from gazette publication. An importer who proceeds on the assumption that the QCO is fully operative — sourcing only from CM/L-licensed mills — may face either unnecessary compliance spend or, conversely, clearance of non-conforming product if the serial number is deferred and the regime has been misread as active.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7211 14 20 require BIS certification?

Yes. Universal plates under this tariff line are subject to the ISI Mark Scheme under the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024 (S.O. 3716(E)) with effect from 29 August 2024; import is permitted only from manufacturers holding a current BIS CM/L licence covering the relevant Indian Standard in Schedule 1.

Is Steel Import Monitoring System 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, and application is permitted no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival.

Has enforcement of any Schedule 1 standards under the Steel and Steel Products QCO been deferred?

Yes. Per S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025, enforcement of the Indian Standards at specified serial numbers in Schedule 1 has been suspended for three years from the date of gazette publication. Importers must confirm whether the serial number applicable to their product is on the deferred list before assuming full QCO enforceability.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all plate dimensions and manufacturing facilities?

No. A CM/L licence is scope-specific by product specification, size range, and licensed manufacturing facility; plates outside the licensed scope or from an unlicensed plant are not covered and are subject to detention at port.

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