Universal plates

Universal plates of iron or non-alloy steel, width under 600 mm

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7211 19 20 (universal plates of iron or non-alloy steel) 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 controlling Quality Control Order is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme, with the operative notification being 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 20

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS as 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 holding a current licence against the Indian Standard specified in column (2) of Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 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 · 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-certified manufacturer. The test certificate must be consignment-specific and traceable to the CM/L-licensed manufacturing facility.
Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024
3
Ensure each universal plate bears the ISI standard mark under the supplier's CM/L licence per Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Marking must appear on the product; product-level marking on packaging alone does not satisfy the requirement.
Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016
4
Register the consignment on the Steel Import Monitoring System portal not earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival. Fee ₹500, registration valid for 75 days from issue; the registration 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
5
For consignments imported without BIS licence or certification, apply for and obtain a clarification on the TCQCO portal before importation, in compliance with the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023. Read that circular alongside CBIC clarification F.No. 401/88/2023-CUS.III dated 09-11-2023 to confirm documentation obligations.
Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023 · CBIC clarification F.No. 401/88/2023-CUS.III dated 09-11-2023

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is importing seconds and defective universal plates without satisfying the value restriction, port restriction, and Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirements that apply specifically to that product category under policy conditions 1, 2, and 3 of Chapter 72. Importers frequently treat SIMS registration as sufficient clearance and overlook these additional controls, which triggers consignment detention at port — separate from and in addition to any BIS QCO non-compliance. The Madras High Court order dated 21-01-2004 further governs price restrictions on prime plates and must be reviewed where price-based conditions are engaged.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7211 19 20 require BIS certification?

Yes. Universal plates under this tariff line must conform to the Indian Standard in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024 under the ISI Mark Scheme; import is permitted only from manufacturers holding a current BIS CM/L licence covering the relevant product scope and facility.

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 obligation. Fee ₹500, validity 75 days; apply no earlier than 60 days before the expected arrival date per DGFT Notification 28/2023.

Are there carve-outs from SIMS registration for re-imports or SEZ movements?

Yes. Re-imports of steel for packaging purposes and SEZ-to-DTA movements (with or without value addition) are exempt from SIMS registration per DGFT policy circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022. Neither carve-out, however, waives the BIS QCO obligation under S.O. 3716(E).

Does a single CM/L licence cover all universal plate dimensions and specifications from the same manufacturer?

No. A CM/L licence is scope-specific by product specification, size, and manufacturing facility; plates outside the licensed scope or produced at an unlicensed plant are not covered, and customs detains the consignment on a scope mismatch.

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