Sheets

Hot-rolled flat steel sheets, width less than 600 mm, uncoated

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7211 19 40 (hot-rolled flat steel sheets of width less than 600 mm, not clad, plated or coated) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order under the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024, 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 each consignment required to bear the standard mark and be accompanied by a BIS-certified manufacturer's test certificate. 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

7211 19 40

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS mapped in 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 listed 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 sheet in the consignment bears the ISI standard mark under the supplier's BIS CM/L licence. The consignment must also be accompanied by a test certificate bearing the standard mark issued by the BIS-certified manufacturer; marking on packaging alone does not satisfy the statutory requirement.
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, applying no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival and paying the registration fee of ₹500. The automatic SIMS registration number is valid for 75 days; confirm it remains 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
Apply on the TCQCO portal for each and every consignment imported without a BIS licence or certification, as mandated by the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023. Quote the BIS CM/L number and SIMS registration number on the bill of entry; customs and CBIC verify both in real time — absence, expiry, or scope mismatch triggers consignment detention.
Ministry of Steel Circular dated 20-10-2023 (F.No. S-20011/14/2021-Tech) · CBIC clarification 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 under Policy Conditions 1, 2, and 3 of Chapter 72. Note that SIMS carve-outs for packaging re-imports and SEZ-to-DTA movements do not waive the BIS QCO obligation.
Policy Conditions 1, 2 and 3 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 assuming the Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024 blanket covers all serial-number entries in Schedule 1 without checking S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025, which suspends enforcement for specified serial numbers for three years from gazette publication. An importer who verifies only S.O. 3716(E) and proceeds without confirming whether this product's Schedule 1 serial number is among those suspended by S.O. 5134(E) risks either unnecessary BIS compliance spend on a temporarily suspended entry, or — critically — failing to secure BIS certification on an active entry and facing consignment detention at port.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7211 19 40 require BIS certification?

Yes. The Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024 (S.O. 3716(E)) mandates conformity to the Indian Standard listed in Schedule 1 under the ISI Mark Scheme; imports must bear the standard mark under a BIS CM/L licence with effect from 29 August 2024.

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

Yes. SIMS registration is administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under Policy Condition 5 of Chapter 72 and is independent of the BIS QCO obligation. Fee ₹500, validity 75 days, application no earlier than 60 days before expected arrival.

Does S.O. 5134(E) suspend BIS enforcement for this HSN?

S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025 suspends enforcement for specific serial numbers listed in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024 for three years from gazette publication. Whether this product's Schedule 1 entry is among those suspended must be verified against the specific serial number applicable to this tariff item before each importation.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all sheet specifications and manufacturing facilities?

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

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