Universal plates

Cold-rolled flat steel universal plates, width less than 600 mm

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7211 29 20 (cold-rolled universal plates of iron or non-alloy steel, width less than 600 mm) 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 (SIMS) registration administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade applies as a separate customs-clearance overlay.

What this is

HSN code

7211 29 20

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS mapped in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024 · 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 is mapped against the Indian Standard in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order 2024 for this product. Verify the CM/L number, product scope, and licensed 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 each consignment is accompanied by a test certificate bearing the standard mark, issued by the BIS CM/L-licensed manufacturer. The test certificate must be consignment-specific and traceable to the licensed manufacturing facility.
Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024
3
Register the consignment on the SIMS portal not earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival. Fee ₹500, automatic registration number valid for 75 days. The minimum 15-day advance registration requirement 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
4
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number and the SIMS automatic registration number on the bill of entry. Comply with CBIC Instructions 16/2025-CUS and 23/2025-CUS on mandatory SIMS registration for QCO-mapped steel imports; either credential absent, expired, or scope-mismatched triggers consignment detention.
CBIC Instruction 16/2025-CUS dated 18-06-2025 as modified by CBIC Instruction 23/2025-CUS dated 15-07-2025; ITC (HS) Chapter 72, Policy Condition 5
5
If importing without BIS licence or certification, apply for a clarification on the TCQCO portal for each consignment as mandated by the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023. Ensure compliance with CBIC clarification F.No. 401/88/2023-CUS.III dated 09-11-2023 on the same circular.
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

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is importing on the strength of a valid SIMS registration number while failing to verify that the foreign manufacturer's CM/L licence specifically covers universal plates of this width and carbon specification under Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order 2024. SIMS registration does not validate BIS scope; customs conducts an independent real-time check against the BIS register, and a CM/L that is valid in name but scope-mismatched to the consignment's product specification triggers detention, demurrage, and mandatory disposal of sub-standard material as scrap under Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7211 29 20 require BIS certification?

Yes. Universal plates under this tariff line must conform to the Indian Standard mapped in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order 2024 (S.O. 3716(E)) and bear the ISI mark under a CM/L licence issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards.

Is SIMS registration required separately from BIS QCO compliance?

Yes. SIMS registration is administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, is independent of the BIS QCO obligation, costs ₹500, and the automatic registration number remains valid for 75 days from issue.

Do the SIMS carve-outs for re-import for packaging or SEZ-to-DTA movements also exempt the BIS QCO?

No. The SIMS carve-outs under DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022 address only SIMS registration; the BIS QCO obligation under the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order 2024 continues to apply independently.

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

No. A CM/L licence is scope-specific by Indian Standard, product specification, and licensed manufacturing facility; plates outside the licensed specification or from an unlicensed plant are not covered and are liable to detention.

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