Ingots and other primary forms
Stainless steel ingots and other primary forms
HSN 7218 10 00 (stainless steel ingots and other primary forms) 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 for large enterprises, under the Welding Rods and Electrodes Quality Control Order, 2023. Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) registration administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade applies as a separate customs-clearance overlay.
Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, Directorate General of Foreign Trade.
- 1Source only from a Bureau of Indian Standards CM/L-licensed manufacturer holding a current licence against IS 814:2004 (covered electrodes, carbon and carbon-manganese steel) or IS 6419:1996 (welding rods and 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 QCO 2023 · S.O. 3153(E) dated 14-07-2023; Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024
- 2Ensure every consignment is accompanied by a test certificate bearing the standard mark, issued by the BIS-certified manufacturer. Each product must bear the ISI mark and the supplier's CM/L number under Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024 · S.O. 3153(E) dated 14-07-2023 · Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
- 3Confirm the enterprise-size category of the overseas supplier. For small enterprises, the effective compliance date is 18 April 2024; for micro enterprises, 18 July 2024. Verify the supplier's MSMED Act classification before asserting the applicable effective date.S.O. 3153(E) dated 14-07-2023 · Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 (27 of 2006)
- 4Register the consignment on the Steel Import Monitoring System portal not earlier than 60 days before the expected arrival date; fee ₹500, automatic registration number valid for 75 days. Quote the SIMS registration number on the bill of entry alongside the supplier's BIS CM/L number.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
- 5If importing without a BIS licence or certification, apply and seek clarification through the TCQCO portal for each consignment as mandated by the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023 and the CBIC clarification under F.No.401/88/2023-Cus.III dated 09-11-2023. Strict compliance with CBIC Instruction 16/2025-CUS dated 18-06-2025, as modified by CBIC Instruction 23/2025-CUS dated 15-07-2025, is separately required for the Indian Standard mapped to the input material.MoS Circular F.No.S-20011/14/2021-Tech dated 20-10-2023 · CBIC 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
The single most common error on this tariff line is treating stainless steel primary forms as outside the welding-consumables QCO scope because they are upstream feedstock rather than finished electrodes. S.O. 3153(E) expressly maps IS 814:2004 and IS 6419:1996 to this HSN as feedstock for the welding rods and electrodes industry; import of unmarked or unlicensed primary forms from a manufacturer without a current CM/L triggers detention and disposal as scrap under Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016, regardless of downstream processing intent. Additionally, note that S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025 suspends enforcement of specified serial numbers in Schedule 1 for one year — confirm that IS 814 and IS 6419 are not among the suspended entries before assuming full enforcement applies.