Other

Base metal sign-plates, name-plates, address-plates and similar symbols

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 8310 00 90 (base metal sign-plates, name-plates, address-plates and similar plates, numbers, letters and other symbols) 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, per S.O. 3716(E). Steel Import Monitoring System registration administered by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs applies as a separate customs-clearance overlay.

What this is

HSN code

8310 00 90

Chapter

83 · Miscellaneous articles of base metal

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS mapped in 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.

Compliance steps

1
Source finished articles only from a Bureau of Indian Standards CM/L-licensed manufacturer whose licence covers the Indian Standard listed in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024 for tin plate and tin free steel articles. 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 · Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
2
Confirm that the input materials (tin plate and tin free steel) used by the manufacturer correspond to Serial Numbers 108 and 109 in Column 3 of Schedule 1 of the QCO, and that the finished articles fall under Serial Numbers 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 of Schedule 2. Obtain the Test Certificate for the input material from the manufacturer.
Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024 · Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 thereof
3
Ensure every article bears the ISI mark and the manufacturer's CM/L number in accordance with Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. The mark must appear on the product itself; consignments with unmarked articles are liable to detention and re-export.
Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024
4
Register the steel-input-material component of the consignment on the Steel Import Monitoring System portal in compliance with CBIC Instruction 16/25-CUS dated 18-06-2025 as modified by CBIC Instruction 23/25-CUS dated 15-07-2025. The SIMS registration must remain valid on the date of arrival.
CBIC Instruction No. 16/25-CUS dated 18-06-2025 · CBIC Instruction No. 23/25-CUS dated 15-07-2025
5
If the consignment lacks BIS certification, apply for and obtain clarification on the TCQCO portal before import, as mandated by the Ministry of Steel Circular dated 20-10-2023. Quote the BIS CM/L number, Test Certificate reference, and SIMS registration on the bill of entry; customs verifies each in real time.
MOS Circular F.No. S-20011/14/2021-Tech dated 20-10-2023 · CBIC clarification F.No. 401/88/2023-Cus III dated 09-11-2023

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is overlooking that the BIS QCO obligation attaches to the input material as well as the finished article — both the tin plate or tin free steel input and the finished sign-plate must satisfy their respective ISI-mark requirements, and the consignment must be accompanied by the input material's Test Certificate. Importers who secure CM/L coverage for the finished product but cannot produce the Test Certificate for the input material under Schedule 1 face consignment detention regardless of the finished-goods licence, because the QCO expressly conditions clearance on documentary proof of compliant input material.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8310 00 90 require BIS certification?

Yes. Articles under this tariff line must be manufactured from ISI-marked tin plate or tin free steel and bear the ISI mark under a CM/L licence, in accordance with the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024 notified by S.O. 3716(E), with effect from 29 August 2024.

Is Steel Import Monitoring System registration required separately from BIS QCO compliance?

Yes. SIMS registration is a separate customs-clearance overlay administered under CBIC Instruction 16/25-CUS dated 18-06-2025, as modified by CBIC Instruction 23/25-CUS dated 15-07-2025, and is independent of the BIS CM/L obligation.

What is the significance of the Test Certificate for input material?

The Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024 expressly requires that finished articles under Schedule 2 (Serial Numbers 3 to 7) be accompanied by the Test Certificate of the tin plate or tin free steel input material conforming to the Indian Standard listed in Schedule 1. Absence of the Test Certificate is an independent ground for detention.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all article types and all manufacturing facilities within HSN 8310 00 90?

No. The CM/L licence is specific to the product scope, the applicable Indian Standard under Schedule 1, and the licensed manufacturing facility; articles outside the licensed scope or from an unlicensed plant are not covered.

Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-16. Source: BIS / SIMS / CBIC / Indian Customs CUSDATA.