Other

Hot-rolled stainless steel bars and rods in coils (high strength deformed grades for concrete reinforcement)

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · IS 16651 · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7221 00 19 (hot-rolled stainless steel bars and rods in irregularly wound coils) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 16651:2017 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 27 March 2024, by virtue of the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024 notified vide S.O. 3716(E). 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

7221 00 19

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 16651:2017 · effective 27-03-2024

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
Source only from a Bureau of Indian Standards CM/L-licensed manufacturer holding a current licence against IS 16651:2017 for high strength deformed stainless steel bars and wires. Verify the supplier's CM/L number, licensed product scope, and facility address on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order.
IS 16651:2017 applicable w.e.f. 27-03-2024 · Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024
2
Ensure every consignment is accompanied by a test certificate bearing the standard mark, issued by the BIS-certified manufacturer. Each bar or rod must bear the ISI mark under the supplier's CM/L licence in accordance with 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 · Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
3
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 registration must remain within validity on the date of arrival at port.
DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023 · Policy condition 5 of Chapter 72 of ITC (HS)
4
Apply on the TCQCO portal for each consignment imported without a BIS licence or certification, as mandated by the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023. Comply also with Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs clarification F.No. 401/88/2023-CUS.III dated 09-11-2023 on that circular.
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
5
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number, the SIMS registration number, and the test certificate reference on the bill of entry. Comply with CBIC Instruction 16/2025-CUS dated 18-06-2025 as modified by CBIC Instruction 23/2025-CUS dated 15-07-2025 regarding the Indian Standard of input material for steel products requiring mandatory SIMS portal registration.
CBIC Instruction 16/2025-CUS dated 18-06-2025 · CBIC Instruction 23/2025-CUS dated 15-07-2025 · BIS Act, 2016 · Customs Act, 1962

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is assuming that the CM/L licence scope for IS 16651:2017 extends to all stainless steel bar and rod formats in coil, when the standard applies specifically to high strength deformed stainless steel bars and wires for concrete reinforcement. Importers shipping non-deformed or non-reinforcement-grade stainless wire rod under this HSN without confirming that the product specification and supplier licence scope match IS 16651:2017 face detention and a mandatory TCQCO portal referral — a process that triggers demurrage and ground rent accrual at port for the duration of the clarification.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7221 00 19 require BIS certification?

Yes. Conformity to IS 16651:2017 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme from 27 March 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 product specification and facility.

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

Yes. SIMS registration is administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade independently of the BIS QCO obligation. Fee ₹500, validity 75 days, apply no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival; SEZ-to-DTA movements without value addition and re-imports for packaging only are exempt from SIMS.

What is the TCQCO portal obligation and when does it apply?

The Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023 requires all steel importers to apply on the TCQCO portal for each consignment imported without BIS licence or certification. Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs clarification F.No. 401/88/2023-CUS.III dated 09-11-2023 confirms this obligation at the customs-clearance stage.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all stainless steel bar and rod variants under this HSN?

No. The CM/L licence is scope-specific to IS 16651:2017, covering high strength deformed stainless steel bars and wires for concrete reinforcement; product variants, grades, or facilities outside that licensed scope are 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.