Plated or coated with other base metals

Iron or non-alloy steel bars and rods plated with other base metals

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7215 90 20 (bars and rods of iron or non-alloy steel, plated or coated with other base metals) 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 registration administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade applies as a separate customs-clearance overlay.

What this is

HSN code

7215 90 20

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 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 is valid against the Indian Standard specified in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024 for this product. 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 bar or rod bears the ISI standard mark under a BIS CM/L licence per Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Each consignment must also be accompanied by a test certificate bearing the standard mark, issued by the BIS-certified manufacturer.
Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024
3
If the consignment arrives without a BIS licence or certification, apply for a clarification on the TCQCO portal for each such consignment before customs clearance. This step is mandatory under the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023, as clarified by Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs under F.No. 401/88/2023-CUS.III dated 09-11-2023.
MoS Circular dated 20-10-2023 (F.No. S-20011/14/2021-TECH) · CBIC clarification F.No. 401/88/2023-CUS.III dated 09-11-2023
4
Register the consignment on the Steel Import Monitoring System portal not earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival. Fee ₹500; registration 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
5
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number and the SIMS registration number on the bill of entry. Ensure strict compliance with CBIC Instructions 16/2025-CUS and 23/2025-CUS concerning the Indian Standard of the input material mapped in the QCO and mandatory SIMS portal registration.
CBIC Instruction 16/2025-CUS dated 18-06-2025 · CBIC Instruction 23/2025-CUS dated 15-07-2025 · ITC (HS) policy condition 5 of Chapter 72

A word of counsel

The single most common failure on this tariff line is importing plated or coated bars under the mistaken belief that the coating process — whether zinc-based, nickel, chrome, or another base metal — removes the product from the Steel and Steel Products QCO, 2024 scope. The QCO obligation attaches to the steel substrate and product form; the coating is a finishing step that does not create a separate tariff exemption. A consignment that is ISI-marked at the bare-bar stage but re-coated by an unlicensed downstream processor will fail the BIS CM/L verification at port and face detention.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7215 90 20 require BIS certification?

Yes. These bars and rods 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 Steel Import Monitoring System 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.

What must an importer do if a consignment arrives without BIS certification?

The importer must apply for a clarification on the TCQCO portal for that specific consignment, as mandated by the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023 read with the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs clarification dated 09-11-2023. Sub-standard or defective product not conforming to the specified standard must be disposed of as scrap per Section 17(1)(b) of the BIS Act, 2016.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all coating types and size ranges from the same manufacturer?

No. A CM/L licence is scope-specific by product specification, size range, coating type, and manufacturing facility; bars outside the licensed scope or from a different plant are not covered, and customs will detain the consignment on a scope mismatch with the BIS register.

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