Other

Other alloy steel bars and rods (non-hollow, non-drill)

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7228 60 12 (other alloy 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 per 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 60 12

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 28-09-2020

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
Verify that the foreign manufacturer holds a current Bureau of Indian Standards CM/L licence against the Indian Standard mapped to this HSN in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024. Confirm the 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 · BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018, Scheme-I of Schedule-II
2
Ensure every consignment is accompanied by a test certificate bearing the standard mark, issued by the BIS-certified manufacturer. Confirm that the product itself bears the ISI mark and the CM/L number — marking on packaging alone does not satisfy the QCO requirement.
Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024 · Section 17(1)(b) of the BIS Act, 2016
3
Before import, consult the TCQCO portal for each consignment proposed without BIS licence or certification, as mandated by the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023. Obtain CBIC clarification under F.No. 401/88/2023-CUS.III dated 09-11-2023 if applicable before filing the bill of entry.
Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023 (F.No. S-20011/14/2021-Tech) · CBIC clarification F.No. 401/88/2023-CUS.III dated 09-11-2023
4
Register the consignment on the SIMS portal no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival and pay the ₹500 registration fee. The automatic registration number is valid for 75 days; it must remain valid on the arrival date. SEZ-to-DTA and re-import-for-packaging movements are exempt from SIMS.
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
5
Ensure compliance with CBIC Instruction 16/2025-CUS dated 18-06-2025 as modified by CBIC Instruction 23/2025-CUS dated 15-07-2025, which address mandatory SIMS registration mapped against the Indian Standard of the respective input steel material. Quote the BIS CM/L number and SIMS registration number on the bill of entry.
CBIC Instruction 16/2025-CUS dated 18-06-2025 · CBIC Instruction 23/2025-CUS dated 15-07-2025 · ITC (HS) policy condition 5 of Chapter 72

A word of counsel

The critical oversight on this tariff line is importing under a blanket assumption that the IS serial number applicable to this specific alloy-steel bar grade is among those whose enforcement has been suspended by S.O. 5134(E). S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025 suspends enforcement for defined serial numbers in Schedule 1 — for periods of either one or three years — but the suspension lists are serial-number-specific; an importer who has not verified whether the IS mapped to this HSN falls within a suspended serial number, and who imports without a CM/L licence, faces consignment detention and sub-standard-goods disposal as scrap under Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7228 60 12 require BIS certification?

Yes. Alloy 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; import is permitted only from manufacturers holding a current BIS CM/L licence.

Is SIMS 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 fee is ₹500, the registration is valid for 75 days, and the importer may apply no earlier than 60 days before the expected arrival date.

Has enforcement of the Indian Standard for this HSN been suspended under S.O. 5134(E)?

S.O. 5134(E) dated 20-11-2025 suspends enforcement for specific serial numbers in Schedule 1 for one or three years; whether the IS mapped to this HSN falls within a suspended serial number must be verified against Schedule 1 of the controlling QCO before each shipment.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all alloy steel bar grades and manufacturing facilities?

No. A CM/L licence is scope-specific by product specification, grade, and licensed manufacturing facility; bars of a grade or from a plant outside the licensed scope 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.