Not exceeding 14 mm

Stainless steel flat-rolled products, thickness exceeding 10 mm to 14 mm

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · IS 6911 · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7219 21 21 (stainless steel flat-rolled products of width ≥600 mm, thickness exceeding 10 mm and not exceeding 14 mm) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order under the Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024. Conformity to IS 6911, IS 5522, and IS 15997 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 29 August 2024; however, the Ministry of Steel has granted exemption from mandatory input adherence for all three standards until 31 March 2026. 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

7219 21 21

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 6911 · 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
Verify whether the specific serial number for IS 6911, IS 5522, or IS 15997 in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024 falls within the entries suspended under S.O. 5134(E). The Ministry of Steel order dated 20-11-2025 grants exemption from mandatory input adherence for IS 6911, IS 5522, and IS 15997 until 31 March 2026; confirm the current status on the TCQCO portal before filing.
Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024 · S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025 · MoS order F.No.S-20011/15/2024-Tech-Part-1 dated 20-11-2025
2
If the exemption period under the Ministry of Steel order has lapsed or the consignment falls outside its scope, source only from a BIS CM/L-licensed manufacturer. Verify the supplier's CM/L number, licensed product scope (grade, thickness range, surface condition), and manufacturing facility address on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order.
S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024 · Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
3
For every consignment, ensure each flat-rolled product bears the ISI mark under a BIS CM/L licence and is accompanied by a test certificate bearing the standard mark, issued by the BIS-certified manufacturer. Marking must appear on the product or the test certificate accompanying the consignment, not on packaging alone.
Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024 · Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016
4
Apply for SIMS registration on the SIMS portal no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival. Fee ₹500, registration valid for 75 days from issue. Re-imports of steel for packaging only and SEZ-to-DTA movements without value addition are exempt from SIMS registration.
DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023 · DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022 · Policy condition 5 of Chapter 72
5
For any consignment imported without BIS licence or certification, apply on the TCQCO portal for clarification before customs filing. Quote the BIS CM/L number (or TCQCO clarification reference) and the SIMS registration number on the bill of entry; comply with CBIC Instruction 16/2025-CUS as modified by CBIC Instruction 23/2025-CUS regarding mandatory SIMS registration for QCO-mapped steel products.
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 · 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 consequential oversight on this tariff line is failing to track the interplay between the blanket QCO obligation under S.O. 3716(E) and the time-limited exemption granted by the Ministry of Steel order dated 20-11-2025, which suspends mandatory input adherence for IS 6911, IS 5522, and IS 15997 only until 31 March 2026. Importers who treat the exemption as permanent will face detention once it lapses, while importers who ignore it and attempt to source CM/L-certified material prematurely may encounter unnecessary sourcing constraints. Confirm the current exemption status on the TCQCO portal for each consignment before the purchase order, not at customs filing.

Need a regulatory steer on this product?

Speak to a regulatory counsel about your specific HSN, IS, and supplier situation.

Speak to an Expert

Frequently asked

Does HSN 7219 21 21 require BIS certification?

Yes. IS 6911, IS 5522, and IS 15997 are mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme from 29 August 2024 per S.O. 3716(E); however, the Ministry of Steel has granted exemption from mandatory input adherence for all three standards until 31 March 2026 under its order dated 20 November 2025.

Is SIMS registration required separately from BIS QCO compliance?

Yes. SIMS registration is a separate customs-clearance overlay administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade; fee ₹500, validity 75 days, applied no earlier than 60 days before expected arrival. Re-imports for packaging only and SEZ-to-DTA movements without value addition are exempt.

Does the Ministry of Steel exemption until 31 March 2026 remove the BIS QCO obligation entirely?

No. The exemption suspends mandatory input adherence for IS 6911, IS 5522, and IS 15997 for a defined period; the underlying QCO under S.O. 3716(E) remains operative, and any consignment imported without BIS certification must be reported through the TCQCO portal.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all stainless steel grades and thickness ranges?

No. A CM/L licence is scope-specific by grade (austenitic, ferritic, martensitic), applicable Indian Standard (IS 6911, IS 5522, or IS 15997), thickness range, and manufacturing facility; flat-rolled product outside the licensed scope or from an unlicensed plant is not covered.

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