Nickel chromium austenitic type

Nickel chromium austenitic stainless steel flat-rolled sheet and strip (0.5–1 mm)

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

HSN 7219 34 20 (nickel chromium austenitic stainless steel flat-rolled products, 0.5 mm to 1 mm thick) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order under the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024, vide S.O. 3716(E). Conformity to IS 6911, IS 5522, and IS 15997 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 29 August 2024, subject to a Ministry of Steel exemption on 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 34 20

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 the foreign manufacturer's BIS CM/L licence number against IS 6911, IS 5522, or IS 15997 (whichever covers the imported grade and end-use) on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order. Confirm the licensed scope covers the specific alloy grade, thickness range, and manufacturing facility.
Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024 · Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
2
Ensure each consignment is accompanied by a test certificate bearing the ISI standard mark issued by the BIS-certified manufacturer, traceable to the consignment batch. The standard mark must appear on the product itself as required under Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.
Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024 · BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
3
Account for the Ministry of Steel exemption on mandatory input adherence for IS 6911, IS 5522, and IS 15997 valid until 31 March 2026. Verify current status of the exemption on the TCQCO portal before each shipment; the BIS QCO obligation and CM/L licensing requirement are not waived by this exemption.
Ministry of Steel order dated 20-11-2025 vide F.No. S-20011/15/2024-TECH-PART-1 · Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023 vide F.No. S-20011/14/2021-TECH
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. Re-imports 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
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number and the SIMS registration number on the bill of entry. For consignments imported without BIS licence or certification, apply and seek clarification on the TCQCO portal before arrival, and ensure compliance with Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs Instructions 16/2025-CUS and 23/2025-CUS.
Ministry of Steel circular 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 as modified by CBIC Instruction 23/2025-CUS dated 15-07-2025

A word of counsel

The critical trap on this tariff line is misreading the Ministry of Steel's temporary exemption on mandatory input adherence for IS 6911, IS 5522, and IS 15997 (valid to 31 March 2026) as a suspension of the BIS QCO itself. The exemption concerns input-material adherence at the level of the TCQCO portal workflow; the obligation to source from a CM/L-licensed manufacturer and accompany each consignment with a test certificate bearing the ISI mark under S.O. 3716(E) remains operative. Treating the exemption as a licence to import uncertified material triggers consignment detention and potential confiscation under Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7219 34 20 require BIS certification?

Yes. Conformity to IS 6911, IS 5522, or IS 15997 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme from 29 August 2024 by virtue of the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024; import is permitted only from manufacturers holding a current BIS CM/L licence covering the relevant grade and facility.

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

No. The exemption issued vide F.No. S-20011/15/2024-TECH-PART-1 concerns mandatory input adherence on the TCQCO portal for IS 6911, IS 5522, and IS 15997; the CM/L licensing requirement and ISI mark obligation under S.O. 3716(E) continue to apply.

Is Steel Import Monitoring System registration required separately from BIS QCO compliance?

Yes. SIMS registration is administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 and is independent of the BIS QCO. Fee ₹500, validity 75 days, apply no earlier than 60 days before the expected arrival date.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all three Indian Standards and all grade variants?

No. A CM/L licence is scope-specific by Indian Standard, alloy grade, thickness range, and manufacturing facility; material 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.