Other

Steel tape measures, articles of iron or steel wire

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7326 20 90 (other articles of iron or steel wire) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 1269 (Part 2):1997 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 23 May 2024, under the Legal Metrology — Material Measures of Length (Quality Control) Order, 2023. 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

7326 20 90

Chapter

73 · Articles of iron or steel

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 1269 (Part 2):1997 · effective 23-05-2024

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

BISBIS·Bureau of Indian Standards

SIMSSIMS·Steel Import Monitoring System

Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: 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 IS 1269 (Part 2):1997 for steel tape measures. Verify the supplier's CM/L number, licensed product scope, and manufacturing facility address on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order.
Legal Metrology — Material Measures of Length (Quality Control) Order, 2023 · S.O. 5029(E) dated 23-11-2023; IS 1269 (Part 2):1997
2
Ensure every tape measure bears the ISI mark and the supplier's CM/L number per Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Marking must appear on the product itself, not on packaging alone.
Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · Legal Metrology — Material Measures of Length (Quality Control) Order, 2023
3
Register the consignment on the Steel Import Monitoring System portal, paying ₹500; apply no earlier than 60 days before the expected arrival date. The registration number remains valid for 75 days and must be within validity on the arrival date.
DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023
4
Quote both the supplier's BIS CM/L number and the SIMS automatic registration number on the bill of entry. Customs verifies each in real time; an absent, expired, or scope-mismatched CM/L or SIMS registration triggers consignment detention.
ITC HS policy condition 2 of Chapter 73 · BIS Act, 2016 · Customs Act, 1962
5
If the importer qualifies as a micro enterprise under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006, the BIS QCO obligation took effect from 23 November 2024; small enterprises from 23 August 2024. Document the enterprise classification with the Udyam registration certificate for customs records.
Legal Metrology — Material Measures of Length (Quality Control) Order, 2023 · S.O. 5029(E) dated 23-11-2023; Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is treating HSN 7326 20 90 as a generic residual steel-wire-articles entry and overlooking the product-specific BIS QCO triggered by IS 1269 (Part 2):1997 for steel tape measures. Importers who file SIMS registration and clear customs on the steel overlay alone — without verifying the supplier's CM/L licence under the Legal Metrology — Material Measures of Length (Quality Control) Order, 2023 — face detention and monetary penalty regardless of clean SIMS status. Verify that the supplier's CM/L explicitly covers tape measures to IS 1269 (Part 2):1997, not merely a generic steel-articles licence.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7326 20 90 require BIS certification?

Yes. Steel tape measures classified under this tariff line require conformity to IS 1269 (Part 2):1997 under the ISI Mark Scheme, mandatory from 23 May 2024 under the Legal Metrology — Material Measures of Length (Quality Control) Order, 2023; 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 obligation. Fee ₹500, registration valid for 75 days, apply no earlier than 60 days before expected arrival.

Do staggered enforcement dates apply for micro and small enterprises?

Yes. The BIS QCO under S.O. 5029(E) took effect on 23 May 2024 for large enterprises, 23 August 2024 for small enterprises, and 23 November 2024 for micro enterprises as defined under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all tape measure sizes from the same manufacturer?

No. A CM/L licence is scope-specific by product specification, size range, and licensed manufacturing facility; tape measures outside the licensed scope or from an unlicensed plant are not covered and customs will detain the consignment on a scope mismatch.

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