Skelp

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

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7211 19 60 (hot-rolled skelp) 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). Every consignment must conform to the Indian Standard mapped in Schedule 1 of the controlling Quality Control Order and bear the ISI mark under a CM/L licence issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in accordance with Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. 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 60

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS per Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products QCO · 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 BIS CM/L-licensed manufacturer whose licence covers hot-rolled skelp (narrow flat-rolled strip, width less than 600 mm) under the applicable Indian Standard in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024. Verify the CM/L number, product scope, and licensed facility address 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 each consignment is accompanied by a test certificate bearing the standard mark, issued by the BIS-licensed 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
Confirm the product physically bears the ISI standard mark under the supplier's CM/L licence. Marking must appear on the product itself; product-only packaging markings do not satisfy the statutory marking obligation under Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016.
Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016 (11 of 2016)
4
Register the consignment on the SIMS portal not earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival. Fee ₹500; the automatic registration number remains valid for 75 days. The 15-day advance registration minimum 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
If the consignment lacks a BIS CM/L licence or certification, apply for clarification on the TCQCO portal before arrival, in compliance with the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023. Sub-standard or defective product that does not conform to the specified Indian Standard must be disposed of as scrap in accordance with Section 17(1)(b) 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

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is treating SIMS registration as the sole compliance obligation while the BIS QCO marking and test-certificate requirements go unexamined. SIMS clearance is a customs-overlay formality; the statutory trigger for consignment detention and scrap-disposal orders is the absence of an ISI mark or a valid CM/L licence against the Indian Standard specified in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024. Importers who receive an unlicensed consignment have no remediation option at port other than re-export or disposal as scrap under Section 17(1)(b) of the BIS Act, 2016.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7211 19 60 require BIS certification?

Yes. Hot-rolled skelp under this tariff line is notified under the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024 vide S.O. 3716(E); import is permitted only from manufacturers holding a current BIS CM/L licence and each consignment must bear the ISI standard mark and a conforming test certificate.

Is SIMS registration required separately from BIS QCO compliance?

Yes. SIMS registration is administered independently by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under DGFT Notification 33/2015-20; fee ₹500, validity 75 days. SIMS carve-outs for re-imports for packaging and SEZ-to-DTA movements do not waive the BIS QCO obligation.

What happens to a consignment of skelp that does not conform to the specified Indian Standard?

The Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024 requires that sub-standard or defective product be disposed of as scrap in a manner that does not violate Section 17(1)(b) of the BIS Act, 2016; re-export or scrapping at port are the available outcomes — no re-labelling or rectification option exists.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all skelp sizes and product variants from the same manufacturer?

No. A CM/L licence is scope-specific by product specification, size range, and licensed manufacturing facility; skelp dimensions or specifications outside the licensed scope, or product from an unlicensed plant, are not covered and will be detained at customs.

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