Electrode quality

Electrode quality wire of iron or non-alloy steel

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

HSN 7217 90 92 (electrode quality wire of iron or non-alloy steel) 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 with effect from 18 January 2024, by virtue of the Welding Rods and Electrodes Quality Control Order, 2023 and the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 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

7217 90 92

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
Verify the foreign manufacturer's BIS CM/L licence number against IS 814:2004 (covered electrodes for manual metal arc welding) or IS 6419:1996 (welding rods and bare electrodes for gas shielded arc welding) on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order. Confirm the licensed scope covers the specific electrode wire grade and facility.
Welding Rods and Electrodes QCO, 2023 · S.O. 3153(E) dated 14-07-2023 · Steel and Steel Products QCO, 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024
2
Ensure each consignment is accompanied by a test certificate bearing the ISI standard mark, issued by the BIS-licensed manufacturer. The standard mark must appear on the product under a CM/L licence per Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.
Steel and Steel Products QCO, 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 no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival. Pay the registration fee of ₹500 and retain the automatic registration number, which is valid for 75 days; the number 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
4
Apply on the TCQCO portal for each consignment imported without BIS licence or certification, seeking clarification from the Ministry of Steel in strict compliance with the MoS circular dated 20-10-2023 and the CBIC clarification dated 09-11-2023. Both references must be on record before the bill of entry is filed.
MoS 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 registration number on the bill of entry, and ensure strict compliance with CBIC Instruction 16/25-CUS dated 18-06-2025 as modified by CBIC Instruction 23/25-CUS dated 15-07-2025 on the Indian Standard of the input material. Absent, expired, or scope-mismatched CM/L or SIMS numbers trigger consignment detention.
CBIC Instruction 16/25-CUS dated 18-06-2025 · CBIC Instruction 23/25-CUS dated 15-07-2025 · BIS Act, 2016 · Customs Act, 1962

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 and welding rods for gas shielded arc welding of structural steel. A CM/L licence against one standard does not cover product within the scope of the other — customs and BIS verify the licensed standard against the declared product type, and a scope mismatch results in detention of the entire consignment regardless of SIMS registration status. Confirm the welding-process and electrode-type specification with the supplier in writing before the purchase order.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7217 90 92 require BIS certification?

Yes. Electrode quality wire under this tariff line must conform to IS 814:2004 or IS 6419:1996 under the ISI Mark Scheme, with effect from 18 January 2024 per the Welding Rods and Electrodes Quality Control Order, 2023; import is permitted only from manufacturers holding a current BIS CM/L licence covering the relevant standard and product scope.

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, application permitted no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival.

Do the MSME-sector phased enforcement dates affect importers?

The CCR records phased enforcement — small enterprises from 18 April 2024 and micro enterprises from 18 July 2024 — but these concessions apply to domestic manufacturers under the MSMED Act, 2006; importers are subject to the primary enforcement date of 18 January 2024 regardless of enterprise size.

Does a single CM/L licence cover both IS 814 and IS 6419 electrode wire grades?

No. A CM/L licence is standard-specific and facility-specific; electrode wire conforming to IS 814:2004 and wire conforming to IS 6419:1996 require separate licences, and product outside the licensed standard or from an unlicensed facility is not covered.

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