Plated or coated with aluminium

Aluminium-coated flat-rolled iron or non-alloy steel strip

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7212 50 30 (aluminium-coated flat-rolled iron or non-alloy steel of 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, 2020. Conformity to IS 11587:1986 (structural weather-resistant steel) and IS 15103:2002 (fire-resistant steel) is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme by virtue of S.O. 4637(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

7212 50 30

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 11587:1986 · effective 22-12-2020

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 IS 11587:1986 or IS 15103:2002, as applicable to the product specification. 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, 2020 · S.O. 4637(E) dated 22-12-2020
2
Ensure every coil or strip bears the ISI mark and the supplier's CM/L number under Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Marking must appear on the product or attached label traceable to the licensed manufacturing facility, not on outer packaging alone.
Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · S.O. 4637(E) dated 22-12-2020
3
Register the consignment on the Steel Import Monitoring System portal not earlier than 60 days before the expected arrival date. Fee ₹500; registration is valid for 75 days from issue. 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
If the consignment is imported without a BIS CM/L licence, apply for and obtain a clarification on the TCQCO portal before the consignment arrives. This is mandatory for all steel importers under the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023; Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs has separately confirmed applicability under F.No. 401/88/2023-Cus.III dated 09-11-2023.
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
5
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number and the SIMS automatic registration number on the bill of entry. Customs cross-verifies the CM/L against the BIS register and the SIMS number against the DGFT portal; a scope mismatch, expired CM/L, or absent SIMS number triggers consignment detention.
Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2020 · BIS Act, 2016 · Customs Act, 1962 · ITC HS policy condition 5 of Chapter 72

A word of counsel

The most acute risk on this tariff line is scope ambiguity between IS 11587:1986 (structural weather-resistant steel) and IS 15103:2002 (fire-resistant steel): importers frequently attempt to import aluminium-coated strip under a CM/L licensed for only one of the two standards when the product specification straddles both, or under a CM/L for a separate width-category or product family entirely. Customs detention follows when the licensed product scope on the CM/L does not precisely match the imported strip's declared specification — correct this before the purchase order, not at port.

Need a regulatory steer on this product?

Speak to a regulatory counsel about your specific HSN, IS, and supplier situation.

Speak to an Expert

Frequently asked

Does HSN 7212 50 30 require BIS certification?

Yes. Aluminium-coated flat-rolled iron or non-alloy steel strip under this tariff line requires a BIS CM/L licence against IS 11587:1986 or IS 15103:2002 under the ISI Mark Scheme, mandatory with effect from 22 December 2020 under the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2020.

Is Steel Import Monitoring System registration required in addition to BIS certification?

Yes. SIMS registration is a separate customs-clearance overlay administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade. Fee ₹500, registration valid 75 days, apply no earlier than 60 days before the expected arrival date.

What is the TCQCO portal obligation for consignments imported without a BIS CM/L licence?

Under the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023, confirmed by CBIC under F.No. 401/88/2023-Cus.III dated 09-11-2023, importers must apply on the TCQCO portal and obtain a clarification for every such consignment before importation. This obligation applies regardless of SIMS registration status.

Do the SIMS re-import and SEZ carve-outs also waive the BIS QCO obligation?

No. The SIMS exemptions under DGFT policy circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022 apply only to the SIMS registration requirement. The BIS QCO obligation under IS 11587:1986 or IS 15103:2002 is not relaxed by any SIMS carve-out.

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