Of alloy tool steel

Hot-rolled bars and rods of alloy tool steel

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7228 30 11 (bars and rods of alloy tool steel, not further worked than hot-rolled, hot-drawn or extruded) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to the applicable Indian Standard is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 29 August 2024, pursuant to the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024 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

7228 30 11

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS per 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 alloy tool steel bars and rods against the Indian Standard 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 bar and rod in the consignment bears the ISI standard mark under the supplier's CM/L licence, in accordance with Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Each consignment must be accompanied by a test certificate bearing the standard mark, issued by the BIS-certified manufacturer.
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. Pay the registration fee of ₹500 and ensure the automatic registration number (valid 75 days) remains current on the date of arrival.
DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023
4
For any consignment imported without a BIS licence or certification, apply for clarification on the TCQCO portal before import, as mandated by the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023. Confirm compliance with Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs clarification F.No. 401/88/2023-Cus.III dated 09-11-2023 and with CBIC Instruction 16/2025-CUS dated 18-06-2025 as modified by CBIC Instruction 23/2025-CUS dated 15-07-2025.
MoS circular F.No. S-20011/14/2021-Tech dated 20-10-2023 · CBIC F.No. 401/88/2023-Cus.III dated 09-11-2023 · CBIC Instruction 16/2025-CUS dated 18-06-2025 · CBIC Instruction 23/2025-CUS dated 15-07-2025
5
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number and the SIMS registration number on the bill of entry. Sub-standard or defective product not conforming to the Indian Standard must be disposed of as scrap under clause (b) of sub-section (1) of Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016 — re-export or scrap disposal may be the only compliant outcomes for an unlicensed or non-conforming consignment.
S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024 · Section 17(1)(b) of the BIS Act, 2016

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is failing to identify the specific Indian Standard serial number in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024 that maps to alloy tool steel bars. Note that S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025 suspends enforcement of specific serial numbers (49, 50, 60, 64, 86, 92, 93, 94, 102, 128, 132, 135, and 137) for one year from its gazette date — if alloy tool steel bars fall under any of those serial numbers, the CM/L obligation for that specific IS is temporarily suspended. Importers who do not track gazette amendments risk either paying for unnecessary BIS certification or, conversely, importing without mandatory certification on a serial number not covered by the suspension.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7228 30 11 require BIS certification?

Yes. Bars and rods of alloy tool steel are subject to the ISI Mark Scheme under the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024 (S.O. 3716(E)), requiring import only from manufacturers holding a current BIS CM/L licence against the applicable Indian Standard in Schedule 1, with effect from 29 August 2024.

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. The registration fee is ₹500, the automatic registration is valid for 75 days, and application may be made no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival.

Does the suspension under S.O. 5134(E) affect the BIS obligation for alloy tool steel bars?

It depends on the Schedule 1 serial number assigned to alloy tool steel bars. S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025 suspends enforcement at serial numbers 49, 50, 60, 64, 86, 92, 93, 94, 102, 128, 132, 135, and 137 for one year from gazette publication; if this product falls within those entries, the corresponding IS obligation is not operative during that period.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all grades and sizes of alloy tool steel bars from the same manufacturer?

No. A CM/L licence is scope-specific by Indian Standard, steel grade, size range, and manufacturing facility; bars outside the licensed grade or size range, or produced at an unlicensed plant, are not covered and will be detained at customs.

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