Electrode quality

Electrode-quality hot-rolled wire rod in coils, iron or non-alloy steel

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

HSN 7213 99 10 (electrode-quality hot-rolled 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 by virtue of the Welding Rods and Electrodes (Quality Control) Order, 2023, with effect from 18 January 2024. 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 99 10

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 814 · 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 wire rod grade. 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-licensed manufacturer. Each lot must bear the ISI mark under the supplier's CM/L 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, Scheme-I of Schedule-II
3
Register the consignment on the Steel Import Monitoring System portal not earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival. Registration fee ₹500; the automatic registration number is 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 registration number on the bill of entry. Comply with CBIC Instructions 16/2025-CUS and 23/2025-CUS regarding the Indian Standard of the input material; customs verifies both in real time, and an absent, expired, or scope-mismatched CM/L or SIMS registration triggers consignment detention.
CBIC Instruction 16/2025-CUS dated 18-06-2025 as modified by CBIC Instruction 23/2025-CUS dated 15-07-2025 · Customs Act, 1962
5
For consignments imported without BIS licence or certification, apply to the TCQCO portal for a clarification before the shipment arrives, as mandated by Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023. Also ensure compliance with CBIC clarification F.No. 401/88/2023-Cus.III dated 09-11-2023 on that circular.
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

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is assuming a single IS governs all electrode-quality rod imports: IS 814:2004 applies to covered-electrode feedstock for manual metal arc welding, while IS 6419:1996 applies to bare-electrode and filler-wire feedstock for gas-shielded arc welding — the CM/L licence must match the specific grade and end-use specification of the wire rod being imported. A CM/L licence valid for IS 814 does not cover IS 6419 product, and customs will detain the consignment on a standard-to-product mismatch. Additionally, note that the effective date for the Welding Rods and Electrodes QCO was phased: 18 January 2024 for large enterprises, 18 April 2024 for small enterprises, and 18 July 2024 for micro enterprises as defined under the MSMED Act, 2006.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7213 99 10 require BIS certification?

Yes. Electrode-quality hot-rolled wire rod under this tariff line must conform to IS 814:2004 or IS 6419:1996 under the ISI Mark Scheme, mandatory from 18 January 2024 by virtue of the Welding Rods and Electrodes (Quality Control) Order, 2023 under S.O. 3153(E).

Is SIMS 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. Fee ₹500, validity 75 days, application permitted from no earlier than 60 days before the expected arrival date.

Do SIMS carve-outs for re-imports and SEZ movements also waive the BIS QCO obligation?

No. The SIMS exemptions under DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 apply only to the SIMS registration requirement. The BIS QCO obligation under IS 814:2004 or IS 6419:1996 continues to apply regardless of SIMS status.

Does one CM/L licence cover both IS 814 and IS 6419 electrode-quality rod grades?

No. A CM/L licence is issued against a specific Indian Standard and product scope; a licence for IS 814 does not authorise supply of IS 6419 product, and a consignment bearing the wrong IS against the CM/L scope triggers detention at port.

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