Electrode quality

Electrode-quality free-cutting steel bars and rods in coils

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · IS 814 · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7213 20 10 (electrode-quality free-cutting steel bars and rods in irregularly wound coils) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 814:2004 and IS 6419:1996 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme pursuant to the Welding Rods and Electrodes Quality Control Order, 2023 (S.O. 3153(E)), with effect from 18 January 2024 for general enterprises. 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

7213 20 10

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 814:2004 · effective 18-01-2024

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 IS 814:2004 (covered electrodes for manual metal arc welding) or IS 6419:1996 (bare electrodes for gas-shielded arc welding), as applicable to the product variant. Verify the CM/L number, licensed product scope, and manufacturing facility on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order.
Welding Rods and Electrodes Quality Control Order, 2023 · S.O. 3153(E) dated 14-07-2023 · IS 814:2004 · IS 6419:1996
2
Ensure every consignment is accompanied by a test certificate bearing the standard mark, issued by the BIS-certified manufacturer. Each bar or rod in coil must bear the ISI mark under a licence from Bureau of Indian Standards 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 · BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
3
Note the phased enforcement dates for smaller enterprises: 18 April 2024 for small enterprises and 18 July 2024 for micro enterprises as defined under the MSMED Act, 2006. Confirm your enterprise category before asserting a phased-entry position.
S.O. 3153(E) dated 14-07-2023 · Welding Rods and Electrodes Quality Control Order, 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, SIMS registration valid for 75 days; the registration must remain within validity on the date of arrival.
DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023 · ITC HS policy condition 5 of Chapter 72
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, and ensure compliance with the CBIC clarification vide F.No. 401/88/2023-CUS.III dated 09-11-2023. Quote both the CM/L number and SIMS registration number on the bill of entry; comply with CBIC Instructions 16/2025-CUS and 23/2025-CUS on mandatory SIMS registration for QCO-notified steel products.
MoS circular dated 20-10-2023 · CBIC clarification F.No. 401/88/2023-CUS.III dated 09-11-2023 · CBIC Instruction 16/2025-CUS dated 18-06-2025 · CBIC Instruction 23/2025-CUS dated 15-07-2025

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is treating the two applicable standards as interchangeable: IS 814:2004 governs covered electrodes for manual metal arc welding of carbon and carbon-manganese steel, while IS 6419:1996 governs bare electrodes for gas-shielded arc welding of structural steel — a supplier licensed under one standard does not cover the other. Importing electrode-quality wire rod coils against the wrong IS scope produces a CM/L mismatch at port, triggering detention and a fresh certification cycle on an already duty-paid consignment.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7213 20 10 require BIS certification?

Yes. Electrode-quality free-cutting steel bars and rods in coils must conform to IS 814:2004 or IS 6419:1996 under the ISI Mark Scheme, pursuant to the Welding Rods and Electrodes Quality Control Order, 2023 (S.O. 3153(E)), from 18 January 2024 for general enterprises.

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

Yes. SIMS registration is administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 and is independent of the BIS QCO obligation; fee ₹500, validity 75 days, application no earlier than 60 days before arrival.

Do phased enforcement dates apply to micro and small enterprises?

Yes. Under the Welding Rods and Electrodes Quality Control Order, 2023, the effective date for small enterprises is 18 April 2024 and for micro enterprises is 18 July 2024, as defined under the MSMED Act, 2006.

Does a single CM/L licence cover both IS 814 and IS 6419 product variants?

No. A CM/L licence is standard-specific and facility-specific; a manufacturer licensed under IS 814:2004 is not licensed under IS 6419:1996, and coils outside the licensed standard and scope are not covered.

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