Flats

Cold-rolled flat-rolled steel strips of low-carbon content

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7211 23 10 (cold-rolled flats of iron or non-alloy steel containing less than 0.25% carbon by weight) 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 by virtue of S.O. 3716(E). 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 23 10

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 holding a current licence against the Indian Standard mapped to this tariff line in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024. 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 QCO 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 CM/L-licensed manufacturer. Each product must bear the ISI mark and the CM/L number; marking on packaging alone does not satisfy the statutory requirement.
Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024 · BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
3
If the consignment is imported without BIS licence or certification, apply on the TCQCO portal for a clarification before import. This is mandatory under the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023, read with CBIC clarification F.No. 401/88/2023-CUS.III dated 09-11-2023.
Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023 · CBIC clarification F.No. 401/88/2023-CUS.III dated 09-11-2023
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; the registration must remain within validity on the date of arrival. Verify compliance with CBIC Instructions 16/2025-CUS and 23/2025-CUS on mandatory SIMS registration for QCO-notified steel imports.
DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023 · CBIC Instruction 16/2025-CUS dated 18-06-2025 · CBIC Instruction 23/2025-CUS dated 15-07-2025
5
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number and the SIMS automatic registration number on the bill of entry. For imports of seconds and defective material, comply with the applicable port restrictions, value restrictions, and Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirements under Chapter 72 policy conditions 1, 2, and 3.
ITC (HS) import policy conditions 1, 2, 3, and 5 of Chapter 72 · Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024 · S.O. 3716(E)

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is importing cold-rolled flats from a manufacturer whose CM/L licence exists but does not cover the specific grade, thickness range, or production facility for this product — triggering consignment detention despite apparent BIS compliance. The Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024 binds each scheduled product to a precise Indian Standard; an importer must confirm that the supplier's CM/L scope expressly covers the cold-rolled flat specification being shipped, not merely the general product category. Sub-standard or defective product that does not conform must be disposed of as scrap under clause (b) of sub-section (1) of Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016 — re-export or resale is not a permitted remedy.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7211 23 10 require BIS certification?

Yes. Cold-rolled flats of iron or non-alloy steel (under 0.25% carbon) are scheduled under the Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024 (S.O. 3716(E)); import is permitted only from manufacturers holding a current BIS CM/L licence under the ISI Mark Scheme against the mapped Indian Standard.

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

Yes. SIMS registration is a distinct customs-clearance overlay administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade; fee ₹500, validity 75 days, application no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival. CBIC Instructions 16/2025-CUS and 23/2025-CUS specifically require SIMS registration for QCO-notified steel products.

Does the partial suspension under S.O. 5134(E) affect this tariff line?

S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025 suspends enforcement of specified serial numbers in Schedule 1 for three years from gazette publication. Whether this tariff line's mapped IS falls within those serial numbers must be verified against Schedule 1; the suspension does not apply to serial numbers not listed in S.O. 5134(E).

Does a single CM/L licence cover all grades and thicknesses of cold-rolled flats from the same manufacturer?

No. The CM/L is scope-specific by Indian Standard, product grade, dimensional range, and licensed manufacturing facility; flats outside the licensed scope or from a different plant are not covered, and a scope mismatch triggers detention at port.

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