Of cobalt bearing high speed steel quality

Semi-finished cobalt-bearing high speed alloy steel

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7224 90 30 (cobalt-bearing high speed steel quality semi-finished products) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order under the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024. Conformity to the Indian Standard mapped in Schedule 1 of the controlling Quality Control Order is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 29 August 2024, by virtue of S.O. 3716(E). Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) registration administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade applies as a separate customs-clearance overlay.

What this is

HSN code

7224 90 30

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS mapped in Schedule 1 of S.O. 3716(E) · 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
Source only from a Bureau of Indian Standards CM/L-licensed manufacturer whose licence specifically covers cobalt-bearing high speed steel quality semi-finished products as mapped in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024. Verify the CM/L number, licensed product scope, and manufacturing facility on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order.
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 consignment must also bear the ISI mark under a licence from Bureau of Indian Standards 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 · BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
3
Before importing, apply on the TCQCO portal for each consignment imported without BIS licence or certification and obtain clarification from the Ministry of Steel. Comply also with CBIC clarification on this requirement.
Ministry of Steel Circular dated 20-10-2023 · CBIC F.No. 401/88/2023-Cus.III dated 09-11-2023
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 registration must remain within validity on the date of arrival of the consignment.
Policy Condition 5 of Chapter 72 · DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023
5
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number and the SIMS registration number on the bill of entry, supported by the test certificate. Comply strictly with CBIC Instructions 16/2025-CUS and 23/2025-CUS regarding the Indian Standard of input material mapped in the QCO; any mismatch, expiry, or scope gap triggers consignment detention.
CBIC Instruction 16/2025-CUS dated 18-06-2025 · CBIC Instruction 23/2025-CUS dated 15-07-2025

A word of counsel

The most frequently encountered error on this tariff line is assuming that a SIMS registration number alone satisfies the port-clearance requirement, while the underlying BIS CM/L verification — specifically whether the licence scope covers cobalt-bearing high speed steel quality and the correct manufacturing facility — is left unchecked. S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025 suspends enforcement for a defined list of Schedule 1 serial numbers; importers must confirm whether the serial number applicable to this product is on the suspended list or remains operative, because importing uncertified material against a suspended entry does not extinguish the BIS Act, 2016 liability for sub-standard goods, which under Section 17(1)(b) mandates disposal as scrap.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7224 90 30 require BIS certification?

Yes. Cobalt-bearing high speed steel quality semi-finished products must conform to the Indian Standard mapped in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024 under the ISI Mark Scheme, with effect from 29 August 2024. Import is permitted only from manufacturers holding a current BIS CM/L licence.

Is SIMS registration required separately from BIS QCO compliance?

Yes. SIMS registration is administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under Policy Condition 5 of Chapter 72 and is independent of the BIS QCO obligation. Fee ₹500, registration valid for 75 days, apply no earlier than 60 days before the expected arrival date.

Does S.O. 5134(E) suspend the BIS QCO obligation for this product?

Only if the Schedule 1 serial number corresponding to cobalt-bearing high speed steel quality appears in the lists suspended for one or three years under S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025. Importers must verify the specific serial number against the gazette; the suspension does not waive disposal-as-scrap obligations for sub-standard goods under Section 17(1)(b) of the BIS Act, 2016.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all high speed steel grades and manufacturing facilities?

No. A CM/L licence is scope-specific by grade, product form, and licensed manufacturing facility; cobalt-bearing high speed steel outside the licensed scope, or produced at an unlicensed plant, is not covered and import of such material triggers detention.

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