Nickel chromium austenitic type

Nickel chromium austenitic stainless steel flat-rolled products, 4.75–10 mm thick

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

HSN 7219 22 12 (nickel chromium austenitic stainless steel flat-rolled products of 4.75–10 mm thickness) 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 28 September 2020, subject to a Ministry of Steel exemption for these three standards operative 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 22 12

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
Verify whether the supplier holds a current Bureau of Indian Standards CM/L licence against IS 6911, IS 5522, or IS 15997 as applicable to the grade being imported. Confirm the licensed scope covers the specific austenitic 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
2
Confirm current applicability of the Ministry of Steel exemption: IS 6911, IS 5522, and IS 15997 are exempt from mandatory BIS QCO enforcement until 31 March 2026 per the Ministry of Steel order dated 20 November 2025. Document this exemption basis in the import file; the exemption does not extend beyond 31 March 2026.
Ministry of Steel order dated 20-11-2025 vide F.No. S-20011/15/2024-Tech-Part-1 · S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025
3
Ensure every consignment is accompanied by a test certificate bearing the ISI standard mark, issued by the BIS-certified manufacturer, as required under the Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024. If importing without BIS certification during the exemption period, apply through the TCQCO portal for each consignment as mandated by the Ministry of Steel circular.
Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024 · Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023 vide F.No. S-20011/14/2021-Tech · CBIC clarification vide F.No. 401/88/2023-Cus.III dated 09-11-2023
4
Register the consignment on the Steel Import Monitoring System portal no earlier than 60 days before the expected arrival date. The registration fee is ₹500 and the automatic registration number remains valid for 75 days; quote the SIMS registration number on the bill of entry.
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
5
Ensure compliance with CBIC Instruction 16/2025-CUS dated 18 June 2025 as modified by CBIC Instruction 23/2025-CUS dated 15 July 2025 regarding mandatory SIMS registration for steel products mapped under the QCO. Sub-standard or defective material that does not conform to the specified standard must be disposed of as scrap in a manner that does not violate Section 17(1)(b) of the BIS Act, 2016.
CBIC Instruction 16/2025-CUS dated 18-06-2025 · CBIC Instruction 23/2025-CUS dated 15-07-2025 · Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016 (11 of 2016)

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is treating the Ministry of Steel's exemption for IS 6911, IS 5522, and IS 15997 as a blanket waiver of all compliance obligations. The exemption suspends mandatory BIS CM/L licensing only until 31 March 2026; importers who do not obtain certification during this window and fail to apply through the TCQCO portal for each uncertified consignment still face consignment detention under the Ministry of Steel circular of 20 October 2023, as clarified by CBIC vide F.No. 401/88/2023-Cus.III. The SIMS registration requirement remains fully operative throughout the exemption period and is not relaxed by the IS-specific carve-out.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7219 22 12 require BIS certification?

Yes. Conformity to IS 6911, IS 5522, and IS 15997 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme per the Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024 with effect from 28 September 2020. However, a Ministry of Steel exemption suspends mandatory enforcement of these three standards until 31 March 2026.

Is SIMS registration required separately from BIS QCO compliance?

Yes. Steel Import Monitoring System registration is administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 and is independent of the BIS QCO obligation. Fee is ₹500, registration is valid for 75 days, and application may be made no earlier than 60 days before expected arrival.

What must importers do during the IS 6911, IS 5522, and IS 15997 exemption period if importing without BIS certification?

Importers must apply through the TCQCO portal and seek clarification for each consignment imported without BIS licence or certification, as mandated by the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20 October 2023 and affirmed by CBIC clarification vide F.No. 401/88/2023-Cus.III dated 09 November 2023.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all stainless steel grades and thicknesses from the same manufacturer?

No. The CM/L licence is scope-specific by Indian Standard, grade, thickness range, and manufacturing facility; product outside the licensed scope or from an unlicensed plant is not covered and will trigger detention at customs.

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