Steel QCO Exemption extended on selected BIS Standards till 30.09.2026

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Dated: 31.03.2026

Steel QCO Exemption extended on selected BIS Standards till 30.09.2026

The Government of India, through the Ministry of Steel (Technical Division), has issued a significant order dated 31st March 2026, granting conditional exemption from mandatory input adherence requirements for stainless steel flat products.

This development carries substantial implications for importers, manufacturers, and compliance professionals dealing with BIS Quality Control Orders (QCOs) and import regulations.

2. Background of the Order

The order titled:

“Exemption of input adherence of Stainless Steel flat products – reg.”

was issued in continuation of an earlier order dated 20th November 2025, and is based on representations received from stainless steel importers.

Key Context

Stainless steel flat products are subject to mandatory BIS standards under QCO regime.
Compliance typically requires adherence to specified Indian Standards (IS) for inputs.
Industry stakeholders raised concerns regarding practical challenges in sourcing compliant inputs, especially in global trade scenarios.

3. Scope of Exemption

3.1 Standards Covered

The exemption applies to mandatory input adherence for the following Indian Standards:

IS 5522
IS 6911
IS 15997

IS Standards	IS Title	HSN Codes Listed in Original Steel QCO, 2024
IS 5522: 2014	Stainless steel sheets and strips for utensils – Specification.	72191300, 72191400, 72192310, 72192320, 72192390, 72192411, 72192412, 72192413, 72192419, 72192421, 72192422, 72192423, 72192429, 72192490, 72193210, 72193220, 72193290, 72193310, 72193320, 72193390, 72193410, 72193420, 72193490, 72193510, 72193520, 72193590, 72199012, 72199013, 72199090, 72201290, 72202090, 72209090
IS 6911: 2017	Stainless steel plate, sheet and strip – Specification.	72191111, 72191112, 72191190, 72191200, 72191300, 72191400, 72192111, 72192112, 72192121, 72192122, 72192131, 72192132, 72192141, 72192142, 72192190, 72192211, 72192212, 72192219, 72192412, 72192413, 72192419, 72192421, 72192422, 72192423, 72192429, 72192490, 72193111, 72193112, 72193121, 72193122, 72193190, 72193210, 72193220, 72193290, 72193310, 72193320, 72199011, 72199012, 72199013, 72199090, 72201110, 72201121, 72201122, 72201129, 72201190, 72201210, 72201221, 72201222, 72201229, 72201290, 72202010, 72202021, 72202022, 72202029, 72192291, 72192292, 72192299, 72192310, 72192320, 72192390, 72192411, 72193390, 72193410, 72193420, 72193490, 72193510, 72193520, 72193590, 72202090, 72209010, 72209021, 72209022, 72209029, 72209090
IS 15997: 2012	Low Nickel Austenitic StainlessSteel Sheet and Strip for Utensils and Kitchen Appliances – Specification.	72191300, 72191400, 72192320, 72192390, 72192421, 72192422, 72192423, 72192429, 72192490, 72193220, 72193290, 72193320, 72193390, 72193420, 72193490, 72193520, 72193590, 72199012, 72199013, 72199090, 72201290, 72202090, 72209090

These standards generally relate to:

Stainless steel plates, sheets, and strips
Hot-rolled and cold-rolled flat products
Technical specifications for material composition and quality

3.2 Nature of Exemption

The Ministry has granted:

Exemption from mandatory input adherence requirements

This means:

Importers/manufacturers are not required to demonstrate compliance of input materials with the above BIS standards
However, this does not automatically waive finished product compliance, unless separately specified

4. Validity & Applicability

4.1 Time-bound Relaxation

The exemption is strictly time-bound:

Applicable to imports where:
- Bill of Lading (B/L) date is on or before 30th September 2026

4.2 Key Interpretation

This creates a cut-off based on shipment date, not clearance date:

Parameter	Applicability
Shipment Date	Must be ≤ 30.09.2026
Clearance Date	Can be after 30.09.2026
Documentation	B/L is decisive evidence

5. Legal Framework & Regulatory Context

5.1 BIS QCO Regime

The exemption operates within the framework of:

Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016
Relevant Quality Control Orders (QCOs) issued by Ministry of Steel

Normally:

Imports must comply with BIS standards
Non-compliance leads to detention/seizure under Customs Act, 1962

5.2 Customs Interface

From a Customs law perspective:

Officers often insist on:
- BIS Certificate
- Mill test certificates confirming input compliance

This exemption:

Reduces compliance burden at assessment stage
Limits scope for detention under Section 110 of Customs Act
Can be used as a defence in Show Cause Notices

6. Practical Impact on Importers

6.1 Immediate Benefits

Faster customs clearance
Reduced documentation burden
Flexibility in sourcing raw materials globally
Avoidance of costly rejections/demurrage

6.2 Operational Relief

Importers dealing in:

Stainless steel coils
Sheets and plates
Flat rolled products

can now:

Import without proving input-level BIS compliance
Focus on end-product specifications

Conclusion

The 2026 exemption order marks a significant regulatory relaxation in the stainless steel sector, balancing compliance with trade realities.

However, it is not a blanket exemption, and its correct application requires:

Careful legal interpretation
Strong documentation
Strategic handling during customs clearance

For stakeholders, this is both an opportunity and a compliance checkpoint—requiring precision in execution and awareness of regulatory boundaries.

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Source: Ministry of Steel

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