Exceeding 14 mm

Stainless steel flat-rolled plate and sheet exceeding 14 mm thickness

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

HSN 7219 21 42 (stainless steel flat-rolled products exceeding 14 mm thickness) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order under S.O. 3716(E). Conformity to IS 6911, IS 5522, or IS 15997 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme; however, the Ministry of Steel has granted exemption from mandatory input adherence for all three standards until 31 March 2026. 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

7219 21 42

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 6911 · effective 28-09-2020

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
Confirm the current exemption status before sourcing: the Ministry of Steel order dated 20-11-2025 (F.No. S-20011/15/2024-Tech-Part-1) grants exemption from mandatory IS 6911, IS 5522, and IS 15997 input adherence until 31 March 2026. Document this exemption on file for each consignment.
Ministry of Steel order dated 20-11-2025 · F.No. S-20011/15/2024-Tech-Part-1 · Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024
2
Where the exemption has lapsed or does not apply to the consignment, source only from a Bureau of Indian Standards CM/L-licensed manufacturer against the applicable standard (IS 6911, IS 5522, or IS 15997). Verify the CM/L number, licensed grade, thickness range, and manufacturing facility on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order.
Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024 · Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
3
Ensure each consignment is accompanied by a test certificate bearing the ISI standard mark, issued by the BIS-certified manufacturer. The certificate must be traceable to the specific consignment and must identify the applicable Indian Standard.
Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024 · Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016
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 SIMS registration must remain within validity on the date of arrival. Re-imports for packaging only and SEZ-to-DTA movements are exempt from SIMS per the documented carve-outs.
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
5
If importing without BIS licence or certification, apply on the TCQCO portal for each consignment as mandated by the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023. Ensure compliance with CBIC clarification F.No. 401/88/2023-Cus.III dated 09-11-2023 and CBIC instructions 16/2025-CUS dated 18-06-2025 as modified by CBIC instruction 23/2025-CUS dated 15-07-2025.
Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023 · F.No. S-20011/14/2021-Tech · 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

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is treating the Ministry of Steel exemption until 31 March 2026 as a permanent relaxation and failing to track its expiry. The exemption applies specifically to IS 6911, IS 5522, and IS 15997 for stainless steel flat products and is time-bound; importers who have not built a licensed supply chain risk consignment detention the moment the exemption lapses. Parallel TCQCO portal compliance — mandatory for all non-BIS-certified steel consignments — must be maintained throughout the exemption period and is not itself suspended.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7219 21 42 require BIS certification?

Yes. Conformity to IS 6911, IS 5522, or IS 15997 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme per the Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024, S.O. 3716(E). However, the Ministry of Steel has granted exemption from mandatory input adherence for these three standards until 31 March 2026.

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, registration valid for 75 days, apply no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival.

Does the Ministry of Steel exemption until 31 March 2026 cover all three applicable Indian Standards?

Yes. The Ministry of Steel order dated 20-11-2025 grants exemption from mandatory input adherence specifically for IS 6911, IS 5522, and IS 15997. The exemption is time-bound and does not suspend the TCQCO portal compliance requirement for non-certified consignments.

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

No. The CM/L licence is scope-specific by Indian Standard, steel grade, thickness range, and manufacturing facility; product outside the licensed scope or from an unlicensed plant is not covered, and customs detains the consignment on a scope mismatch.

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