Other, of free cutting steel

Free-cutting steel bars and rods, hot-rolled or forged

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7214 30 00 (bars and rods of free-cutting steel) 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 with effect from 29 August 2024, 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

7214 30 00

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS per 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 holding a current licence against the Indian Standard specified 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
2
Ensure every consignment is accompanied by a test certificate bearing the ISI standard mark, issued by the BIS-certified manufacturer. Each product must bear the standard mark under CM/L licence 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
Register the consignment on the SIMS portal not earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival. 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
If importing without BIS licence or certification, apply on the TCQCO portal for each consignment and obtain a clarification as required by the Ministry of Steel circular. Ensure compliance with Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs clarification F.No. 401/88/2023-Cus.III on this requirement.
Ministry of Steel Circular dated 20-10-2023 · CBIC F.No. 401/88/2023-Cus.III dated 09-11-2023
5
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number and SIMS registration number on the bill of entry, supported by the test certificate. Ensure compliance with CBIC Instruction 16/2025-CUS as modified by CBIC Instruction 23/2025-CUS regarding mandatory SIMS registration for steel products notified under the QCO.
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 failing to identify the specific Indian Standard mapped to free-cutting steel bars in Schedule 1 of S.O. 3716(E) before sourcing, and consequently procuring from a manufacturer whose CM/L scope does not cover the correct standard or product dimension range. Sub-standard or defective steel that does not conform to the notified standard must be disposed of as scrap under Section 17(1)(b) of the BIS Act, 2016 — it cannot be re-exported or sold for any structural use — making a scope mismatch on arrival one of the costliest errors on this tariff line.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7214 30 00 require BIS certification?

Yes. Bars and rods of free-cutting steel under this tariff line must conform to the Indian Standard specified in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024 under the ISI Mark Scheme, with effect from 29 August 2024. Import is permitted only from manufacturers holding a current BIS CM/L licence.

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 obligation. Fee ₹500, validity 75 days; apply no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival.

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

No. The SIMS carve-outs under DGFT policy circular 38/2015-20 for re-imports for packaging and SEZ-to-DTA movements do not relax the BIS QCO obligation under S.O. 3716(E); the ISI-marked product requirement continues to apply.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all dimensions and grades of free-cutting steel bars from a supplier?

No. A CM/L licence is scope-specific by standard, product dimension range, and manufacturing facility; bars or rods outside the licensed scope, or produced at an unlicensed plant, are not covered and will be detained at port.

Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-18. Source: BIS / SIMS / DGFT / CBIC / Indian Customs CUSDATA.