Universal plates

Cold-rolled universal plates of non-alloy steel, carbon below 0.25%

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7211 23 20 (cold-rolled universal plates of non-alloy steel with carbon content below 0.25%) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order under the Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024 vide S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024. Conformity to the Indian Standard mapped in Schedule 1 of the controlling Quality Control Order is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme; each consignment must be accompanied by a test certificate bearing the standard mark issued by the BIS-certified manufacturer. 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 20

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 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 · BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018, Scheme-I of Schedule-II
2
Ensure each universal plate consignment is accompanied by a test certificate bearing the standard mark issued by the BIS-licensed manufacturer. The product itself must bear the ISI standard mark under the CM/L licence; markings on packaging alone do not satisfy the requirement.
Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024 · Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016
3
If the consignment is imported without BIS licence or certification, apply for clarification on the TCQCO portal for this specific consignment before attempting customs clearance, and ensure compliance with the CBIC clarification dated 09-11-2023.
Ministry of Steel Circular dated 20-10-2023 vide F.No. S-20011/14/2021-Tech · CBIC clarification F.No. 401/88/2023-Cus.III dated 09-11-2023
4
Register the consignment on the Steel Import Monitoring System portal, paying the registration fee of ₹500, no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival. The automatic registration number is valid for 75 days and must remain valid on the date of arrival. Re-imports for packaging only and SEZ-to-DTA movements without value addition are exempt from SIMS.
DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023 · DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022
5
Ensure compliance with CBIC Instruction 16/2025-CUS dated 18-06-2025 as modified by CBIC Instruction 23/2025-CUS dated 15-07-2025 regarding the Indian Standard of the input steel material intended for import as notified and mapped in the QCO, requiring mandatory SIMS portal registration. For import of seconds and defective plates, comply with the value restriction, port restriction, and Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirements under policy conditions 1, 2, and 3 of Chapter 72.
CBIC Instruction 16/2025-CUS dated 18-06-2025 · CBIC Instruction 23/2025-CUS dated 15-07-2025 · ITC (HS) Chapter 72 policy conditions 1, 2 and 3

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is treating the SIMS registration as confirmation of BIS QCO compliance. SIMS is a customs-clearance overlay; the statutory obligation that triggers detention and confiscation at port is the import of universal plates from a manufacturer without a current CM/L licence against the applicable Schedule 1 Indian Standard under S.O. 3716(E). Additionally, importers frequently overlook the mandatory TCQCO portal clarification requirement for any consignment imported without BIS certification — omitting this step prior to filing the bill of entry triggers separate enforcement action under the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7211 23 20 require BIS certification?

Yes. Universal plates under this tariff line must conform to the Indian Standard specified in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024 under the ISI Mark Scheme, with effect from 29 August 2024; import is permitted only from manufacturers holding a current BIS CM/L licence covering the relevant product scope and facility.

Is Steel Import Monitoring System 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. The fee is ₹500, the registration is valid for 75 days, and application may be made no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival.

Does S.O. 5134(E) suspend the BIS QCO obligation for this tariff line?

Only if the serial number corresponding to this tariff line's Indian Standard in Schedule 1 is among those listed in S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025, in which case enforcement is suspended for three years from gazette publication. Importers must verify the specific serial number mapping before relying on the suspension.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all dimensions and grades of universal plates from the same manufacturer?

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

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