Of alloy tool steel

Alloy tool steel bars and rods

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7228 60 11 (alloy tool steel bars and rods) 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 registration administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade applies as a separate customs-clearance overlay.

What this is

HSN code

7228 60 11

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS mapped in Schedule 1 of Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024 · 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 applicable Indian Standard in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products QCO 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 each consignment is accompanied by a test certificate bearing the standard mark, issued by the BIS CM/L-licensed manufacturer. Every bar or rod must bear the ISI mark under a licence from Bureau of Indian Standards per 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
Check whether the specific IS serial number applicable to this product falls within the enforcement deferral list (serial numbers 49, 50, 60, 64, 86, 92, 93, 94, 102, 128, 132, 135 and 137 deferred for one year from gazette publication). If deferred, document the basis; if not deferred, full QCO compliance is due.
S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025
4
Register the consignment on the Steel Import Monitoring System portal, applying no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival. Fee ₹500; registration valid for 75 days. Submit advance information via the SIMS online system as required under policy condition 5 of Chapter 72.
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 certification, apply for clarification on the TCQCO portal before shipment as mandated by the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023, and ensure compliance with Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs instructions 16/2025-CUS and 23/2025-CUS regarding Indian Standard verification for steel inputs.
MoS Circular 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

A word of counsel

The most consequential oversight on this tariff line is importing alloy tool steel bars without first confirming that the specific Indian Standard applicable to the consignment is not among the thirteen serial numbers deferred under S.O. 5134(E) — and then either forgoing CM/L compliance on a live-enforcement IS, or incurring unnecessary certification spend on a deferred one. Additionally, any consignment imported without BIS certification must be preceded by a TCQCO portal clarification; absent that step, the consignment is liable to detention at port regardless of SIMS registration status.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7228 60 11 require BIS certification?

Yes. Alloy tool steel bars and rods are covered by the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024 under the ISI Mark Scheme; import is permitted 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. Fee ₹500, validity 75 days, apply no earlier than 60 days before the expected arrival date.

Has enforcement of the applicable Indian Standard been deferred under S.O. 5134(E)?

S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025 defers enforcement for thirteen specific IS serial numbers in Schedule 1 for one year from gazette publication. Importers must identify the serial number applicable to their product and confirm whether it falls within the deferral list before concluding that QCO compliance is not yet required.

Does one CM/L licence cover all alloy tool steel bar specifications and facilities?

No. A CM/L licence is specific to the Indian Standard, product specification, size range, and licensed manufacturing facility; bars outside the licensed scope or produced at an unlicensed plant are not covered.

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