Bars and rods, of silico-manganese steel

Silico-manganese steel bars and rods

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7228 20 00 (bars and rods of silico-manganese steel) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to the Indian Standard mapped in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024 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

7228 20 00

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS as 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 covers the Indian Standard mapped to silico-manganese steel bars and rods in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024. Verify the CM/L number, product scope, and licensed 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 each consignment is accompanied by a test certificate bearing the ISI standard mark issued by the BIS-certified manufacturer, and that every bar and rod bears the standard mark under the 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 · BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
3
Register the consignment on the Steel Import Monitoring System portal no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival. Fee ₹500; the registration number remains valid for 75 days. SIMS carve-outs for re-import for packaging and SEZ-to-DTA movements without value addition are documented in the DGFT clarifications.
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
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 and clarified by Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs vide F.No. 401/88/2023-Cus.III dated 09-11-2023. Absent portal compliance, the consignment is liable to detention.
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 and the SIMS registration number on the bill of entry, and comply with CBIC Instruction 16/2025-CUS as modified by CBIC Instruction 23/2025-CUS regarding verification of the Indian Standard of the input material against the QCO mapping.
CBIC Instruction 16/2025-CUS dated 18-06-2025 · CBIC Instruction 23/2025-CUS dated 15-07-2025

A word of counsel

The most common failure on this tariff line is importing silico-manganese steel bars under the assumption that a partial deferment under S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025 covers this product. S.O. 5134(E) defers enforcement only for the specific serial numbers enumerated in its Schedule 1 amendments; serial numbers not listed remain operative from 29 August 2024. Importers who have not cross-referenced their specific Schedule 1 serial number against the S.O. 5134(E) deferment list before shipment risk consignment detention and ground rent accrual at port.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7228 20 00 require BIS certification?

Yes. Bars and rods of silico-manganese steel 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 per S.O. 3716(E).

Is SIMS registration required separately from BIS QCO compliance?

Yes. Steel Import Monitoring System registration is administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade and is independent of the BIS QCO obligation. Fee ₹500, validity 75 days, application permitted no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival.

Does the S.O. 5134(E) deferment notification suspend the BIS QCO for silico-manganese steel bars?

Only if the specific Schedule 1 serial number for this product appears in the S.O. 5134(E) deferment lists; serial numbers not enumerated in S.O. 5134(E) remain operative. Importers must verify their specific serial number against both the 1-year and 3-year deferment lists published on 20-11-2025.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all dimensions and grades of silico-manganese steel bars?

No. The CM/L licence is scope-specific by product specification, size range, and manufacturing facility; bars outside the licensed scope or from an unlicensed plant 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.