Tool and die steel

Hot-rolled, hot-drawn or extruded tool and die steel bars and rods

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7228 30 24 (tool and die steel bars and rods) 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, pursuant to 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 24

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 holding a current licence 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 or rod 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. A test certificate bearing the standard mark, issued by the BIS-certified manufacturer, must accompany each consignment.
Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024
3
Verify on the TCQCO portal whether the specific Indian Standard for this consignment is currently operative. Per S.O. 5134(E), enforcement of certain Schedule 1 serial numbers is suspended for 1 or 3 years from 20 November 2025; confirm this HSN's mapped IS serial number is not within those listed serial numbers before proceeding.
S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025
4
Register the consignment on the Steel Import Monitoring System portal, paying the registration fee of ₹500 and applying no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival. The automatic registration number is valid for 75 days and must remain current on the arrival date.
DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023
5
If importing without a BIS CM/L licence, apply on the TCQCO portal for a clarification before the consignment arrives, as mandated by the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023. Quote the BIS CM/L number and the SIMS registration number on the bill of entry; Customs verifies both in real time under CBIC Instruction 16/2025-CUS as modified by CBIC Instruction 23/2025-CUS.
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 · 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 error on this tariff line is importing against a CM/L that is valid on its face but does not cover tool and die steel — the licence scope must match the specific alloy grade and product form. Sub-standard or defective product that does not conform to the notified Indian Standard cannot be re-exported as usable steel; it must be disposed of as scrap in a manner that does not violate Section 17(1)(b) of the BIS Act, 2016, a disposal obligation importers routinely overlook until the consignment is already detained at port. Additionally, given that S.O. 5134(E) has suspended enforcement for a defined set of Schedule 1 serial numbers, confirm the specific serial number mapped to this HSN before concluding the product is currently exempt from the QCO.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7228 30 24 require BIS certification?

Yes. Tool and die steel bars and rods under this tariff line 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 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; fee ₹500, validity 75 days, apply no earlier than 60 days before arrival. Re-imports for packaging only and SEZ-to-DTA movements without value addition are exempt from SIMS registration.

Has enforcement of any Schedule 1 standards under the Steel and Steel Products QCO been suspended?

Yes. S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025 suspends enforcement for specified Schedule 1 serial numbers for periods of 1 or 3 years from that date. The importer must verify whether the IS number mapped to HSN 7228 30 24 falls within the listed serial numbers before treating the QCO obligation as currently operative.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all tool and die steel grades and bar dimensions?

No. The CM/L licence is scope-specific by alloy grade, product form, and manufacturing facility; grades, dimensions, or plants outside the licensed scope are not covered, and customs detains the consignment on any scope mismatch.

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