Other

Hot-rolled stainless steel bars and rods in coils (other grades)

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · IS 814 · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7221 00 90 (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 814, IS 6419, and IS 16651:2017 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme, with enforcement commencing 18 January 2024 under the Welding Rods and Electrodes Quality Control Order, 2023 and the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024. 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 90

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 814 · effective 18-01-2024

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 on the BIS online register against the applicable Indian Standard: IS 814 for covered-electrode feedstock, IS 6419 for gas-shielded arc welding rod stock, or IS 16651:2017 for high-strength deformed stainless steel bars and wires. Confirm the licensed scope covers the specific grade, size, and manufacturing facility before placing the purchase order.
Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024 · Welding Rods and Electrodes QCO 2023 · S.O. 3153(E) dated 14-07-2023
2
Ensure each consignment is accompanied by a test certificate bearing the standard mark, issued by the BIS-certified manufacturer, as mandated under Schedule 1 of the controlling Quality Control Order. Every product must also bear the ISI standard mark under CM/L licence in accordance with Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.
Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024 · BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 Scheme-I of Schedule-II
3
Obtain a Steel Import Monitoring System registration on the SIMS portal not earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival. Fee ₹500; the automatic registration number (ARN) remains valid for 75 days. Re-import for packaging only and SEZ-to-DTA movements without value addition are exempt from SIMS.
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
4
For consignments imported without BIS licence or certification, apply for and obtain clarification on the TCQCO portal for each consignment before import, in compliance with the Ministry of Steel circular and the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs clarification. Both obligations are mandatory and concurrent.
Ministry of Steel 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 and the SIMS ARN on the bill of entry, and verify compliance with CBIC instructions on SIMS-portal registration for input materials mapped under the QCO. Ensure the CM/L scope is not mismatched against the declared Indian Standard for the consignment.
CBIC Instruction 16/2025-Cus dated 18-06-2025 as modified by CBIC Instruction 23/2025-Cus dated 15-07-2025 · Policy Condition 5 of Chapter 72

A word of counsel

The single most acute risk on HSN 7221 00 90 is IS-to-product-grade mismatch: three Indian Standards apply to this tariff line and each is scope-specific — IS 814 for covered-electrode welding feedstock, IS 6419 for gas-shielded arc welding rod stock, and IS 16651:2017 for high-strength deformed stainless steel bars for concrete reinforcement. A CM/L licence valid under IS 814 does not cover product supplied as reinforcement bar feedstock, and customs verifies the declared IS against the licensed scope in real time; a scope mismatch triggers detention regardless of the existence of a CM/L licence.

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 7221 00 90 require BIS certification?

Yes. Hot-rolled stainless steel bars and rods in coils under this tariff line are subject to mandatory ISI Mark Scheme compliance under the Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024 and the Welding Rods and Electrodes QCO 2023; import from manufacturers without a current BIS CM/L licence is not permitted.

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, ARN valid for 75 days; re-import for packaging and SEZ-to-DTA movements without value addition are exempt.

Do the deferred-enforcement entries under S.O. 5134(E) affect this tariff line?

Potentially. S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025 suspends enforcement for specified serial numbers in Schedule 1 by one or three years; importers must verify whether the serial number corresponding to their applicable Indian Standard is among those deferred before relying on enforcement-date compliance timelines.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all three Indian Standards applicable to this HSN?

No. A CM/L licence is IS-specific and scope-specific by grade, size range, and manufacturing facility; a licence under IS 814 does not authorise supply against IS 6419 or IS 16651:2017, and product outside the licensed standard and scope is not covered.

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