Other

Tin-coated flat-rolled iron or non-alloy steel strip (tinplate, tinmill products)

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7212 10 90 (tin-plated flat-rolled iron or non-alloy steel, width less than 600 mm) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order under the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order 2024, S.O. 3716(E). Conformity to the Indian Standard specified in Schedule 1 of that Order is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme, with marking required under Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. 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

7212 10 90

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS as 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 tin-plated flat-rolled steel product under the Indian Standard mapped in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order 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 (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 consignment is accompanied by a test certificate bearing the standard mark, issued by the BIS-certified manufacturer. The standard mark must also appear on the product itself in accordance with Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.
Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024
3
Register the consignment on the Steel Import Monitoring System portal not earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival. Fee ₹500, SIMS registration valid for 75 days; confirm validity is maintained through the actual arrival date. 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
Apply on the TCQCO portal for each consignment imported without BIS licence or certification, per the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023 and the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs clarification F.No.401/88/2023-CUS.III dated 09-11-2023. Quote the BIS CM/L number and SIMS registration number on the bill of entry.
MoS 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 · CBIC Instruction 16/2025-CUS dated 18-06-2025 as modified by CBIC Instruction 23/2025-CUS dated 15-07-2025
5
If the consignment is a re-import for packaging only, or an SEZ-to-DTA movement without value addition, document the SIMS exemption basis. The BIS QCO marking obligation under S.O. 3716(E) is not waived by either SIMS carve-out — the ISI-mark requirement continues to apply.
DGFT policy circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022 · Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order 2024 · S.O. 3716(E)

A word of counsel

The most frequent compliance failure on this tariff line is importing consignments against a CM/L licence whose Schedule 1 product-scope does not precisely cover the width, thickness, and tin-coating specification of the material actually shipped. Sub-standard or out-of-scope product that does not conform to the mapped Indian Standard must be disposed of as scrap under clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016 — detention, ground rent, and mandatory scrap disposal are the statutory outcome, not re-export or re-labelling.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7212 10 90 require BIS certification?

Yes. The product must conform to the Indian Standard mapped in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order 2024 under the ISI Mark Scheme; import is permitted only from manufacturers holding a current BIS CM/L licence covering the specific product specification 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 independently of the BIS QCO obligation. Fee ₹500, validity 75 days, application permitted no earlier than 60 days before expected arrival.

What happens to a non-conforming or sub-standard consignment at port?

Steel and steel products that do not conform to the specified standard must be disposed of as scrap in a manner that does not violate clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016; re-export is not the default remedy under the QCO framework.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all tin-plated flat-rolled steel specifications from the same supplier?

No. The CM/L is scope-specific by product specification, width, coating class, and manufacturing facility; material outside the licensed scope or from an unlicensed plant is not covered and is treated as uncertified goods at customs.

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