Other

Cold-formed or cold-finished alloy steel bars and rods

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7228 50 90 (other alloy steel bars and rods, not further worked than cold-formed or cold-finished) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to the applicable Indian Standard 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, pursuant to 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 50 90

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 expressly covers the alloy steel bar or rod specification corresponding to this tariff item in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024. Verify the CM/L number, licensed product scope, and 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 licence per 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.
Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024
3
Check whether the specific Indian Standard entry applicable to this CTI falls within the serial numbers whose enforcement has been suspended under S.O. 5134(E). If the entry is suspended for 1 year or 3 years from 20-11-2025, document that basis in writing before proceeding without BIS certification.
S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025 — suspending enforcement of Schedule 1 entries at specified serial numbers for 1 or 3 years from date of gazette publication
4
Register the consignment on the SIMS portal no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival; pay the ₹500 fee and obtain the automatic registration number, valid for 75 days. Quote the SIMS registration number on the bill of entry alongside the BIS CM/L number.
DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023 · ITC (HS) policy condition 5 of Chapter 72
5
If importing without BIS licence or certification, apply for and obtain a clarification on the TCQCO portal before the consignment arrives, as mandated for all steel importers. Ensure compliance with CBIC Instruction 16/2025-CUS as modified by CBIC Instruction 23/2025-CUS on QCO-mapped input materials requiring mandatory SIMS registration.
Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023 · 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 consequential error on this tariff line is overlooking the partial suspension of Schedule 1 enforcement under S.O. 5134(E) while simultaneously neglecting the TCQCO portal obligation for consignments imported without BIS certification. Importers who correctly identify their entry as suspended still face detention if they have not applied for a TCQCO clarification prior to arrival — the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023, confirmed by CBIC, makes that application mandatory regardless of suspension status. Verify the serial-number status in Schedule 1 and complete the TCQCO filing before the shipping bill is filed.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7228 50 90 require BIS certification?

Yes. Cold-formed or cold-finished alloy steel bars and rods under this tariff item are governed by the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024 (S.O. 3716(E)), requiring ISI Mark Scheme CM/L certification against the applicable Indian Standard in Schedule 1, with effect from 29 August 2024.

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

Does the enforcement suspension under S.O. 5134(E) remove the BIS obligation entirely?

No. S.O. 5134(E) suspends enforcement of specific Schedule 1 serial-number entries for 1 or 3 years from 20 November 2025; the QCO framework under S.O. 3716(E) otherwise remains operative. Importers must confirm whether their specific IS entry is among the suspended serial numbers before treating the QCO as inapplicable.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all alloy steel bar and rod specifications from one manufacturer?

No. A CM/L licence is scope-specific by Indian Standard, product specification, size range, and manufacturing facility. Bars or rods outside the licensed specification or from an unlicensed plant are not covered.

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