Flats

Hot-rolled flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, narrow width

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7211 19 10 (hot-rolled flats) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order under the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024. 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 by virtue of S.O. 3716(E) dated 29 August 2024. 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

7211 19 10

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 whose licence covers the specific Indian Standard mapped to HSN 7211 19 10 in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024. Verify the CM/L number, product scope, and licensed 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 consignment is accompanied by a test certificate bearing the standard mark, issued by the BIS-licensed manufacturer. Each product must also bear the ISI 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
3
If the consignment lacks BIS certification, apply for a clarification on the TCQCO portal before import as mandated by the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20 October 2023. Non-conforming goods must be disposed of as scrap in a manner that does not violate clause (b) of sub-section (1) of Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016.
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
4
Register the consignment on the SIMS portal not earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival. Fee ₹500, registration valid for 75 days; the registration must remain within validity on the date of arrival. The minimum 15-day advance registration requirement has been abolished.
DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023 · DGFT Notification 19/2015-20 dated 07-07-2022
5
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number and the SIMS automatic registration number on the bill of entry. Re-imports for packaging purposes and SEZ-to-DTA movements are exempt from SIMS; document the exemption basis in writing. Seconds and defective plates are subject to value restriction, port restriction, and production of a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate.
Policy conditions 1, 2, 3, and 5 of Chapter 72 · DGFT policy circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is treating the SIMS registration as the operative compliance gateway while overlooking the TCQCO portal obligation introduced by the Ministry of Steel circular of 20 October 2023, as clarified by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs vide F.No.401/88/2023-Cus.III. Every consignment imported without a current BIS CM/L licence must be routed through a TCQCO clarification before arrival; failure to do so results in detention independent of a clean SIMS registration. The BIS QCO obligation under S.O. 3716(E) is the primary statutory hook — SIMS non-compliance compounds it but does not substitute for it.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7211 19 10 require BIS certification?

Yes. These flat-rolled steel flats must conform to the Indian Standard specified in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024 under the ISI Mark Scheme, with effect from 29 August 2024 per S.O. 3716(E); import is permitted only from manufacturers holding a current BIS CM/L licence.

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, with the application submitted no earlier than 60 days before the expected arrival date.

What is the TCQCO portal obligation for consignments without BIS certification?

Per the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20 October 2023, as clarified by Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs vide F.No.401/88/2023-Cus.III, all steel importers must apply on the TCQCO portal for each consignment imported without a BIS CM/L licence; sub-standard goods must be disposed of as scrap under Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all sizes and specifications of flat-rolled flats?

No. The CM/L is scope-specific to the Indian Standard, product specification, size range, and manufacturing facility; flats outside the licensed scope or from an unlicensed plant are not covered and attract detention at port.

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