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Steel tape measures and related length-measuring articles

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · IS 1269 · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7326 90 99 (steel tape measures and other residuary articles of iron or steel) 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, pursuant to the Legal Metrology — Material Measures of Length (Quality Control) Order, 2023. 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

7326 90 99

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: 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 IS 1269 (Part 2):1997 for steel tape measures. Verify the supplier's CM/L number, licensed product scope, and licensed manufacturing facility 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
2
Ensure each steel tape measure bears the ISI mark and the supplier's CM/L number under 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 · S.O. 5029(E) dated 23-11-2023
3
Register the consignment on the Steel Import Monitoring System portal no earlier than 60 days before the expected arrival date. Fee ₹500, registration valid for 75 days; the registration must remain within validity on the date of arrival.
DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023
4
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number and the SIMS automatic registration number on the bill of entry. Customs verifies the CM/L in real time against the BIS register and the SIMS number against the DGFT portal; either absent, expired, or scope-mismatched triggers consignment detention.
ITC HS policy condition 2 of Chapter 73 · BIS Act, 2016 · Customs Act, 1962
5
Note staggered enforcement: for micro enterprises the effective date is 23 November 2024 and for small enterprises it is 23 August 2024. For non-MSME importers, the BIS QCO obligation applies from 23 May 2024. Retain documentary evidence of enterprise classification if relying on a deferred effective date.
S.O. 5029(E) dated 23-11-2023 · Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 (27 of 2006)

A word of counsel

HSN 7326 90 99 is a broad residuary tariff line attracting multiple concurrent QCOs — steel tape measures under IS 1269 (Part 2):1997, potable water bottles under IS 17803:2022, cast-iron manhole covers under IS 1726:1991, and textile webbing slings under IS 15041:2001, among others. The single most common error is assuming that a CM/L licence obtained for one product category within this HSN satisfies the obligation for a different product shipped under the same code. Each product entering under HSN 7326 90 99 must be verified against the specific IS standard notified for that product, and an absent or wrong-IS CM/L triggers detention regardless of valid SIMS registration.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7326 90 99 require BIS certification?

Yes, where the specific article is notified under a Quality Control Order. Steel tape measures require conformity to IS 1269 (Part 2):1997 under the ISI Mark Scheme from 23 May 2024, per S.O. 5029(E) dated 23-11-2023; each product sub-category within this residuary HSN has its own applicable IS standard.

Is SIMS registration required separately from BIS QCO compliance?

Yes. SIMS registration is administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 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 the staggered MSME effective dates apply to importers or only to domestic manufacturers?

The staggered dates under S.O. 5029(E) apply as defined under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006; importers who are not micro or small enterprises are bound by the primary enforcement date of 23 May 2024. Consignments arriving after the applicable effective date without a valid CM/L are liable to detention.

Does one CM/L licence covering steel tape measures also cover other steel articles under HSN 7326 90 99?

No. The CM/L is product-specific and IS-specific; a licence against IS 1269 (Part 2):1997 covers steel tape measures only and does not extend to other articles — such as potable water bottles or cast-iron covers — notified under separate QCOs within the same tariff line.

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