No Objection Certificate (NOC) for Steel Imports: BIS and ISI MARK Exemption

ABSOLUTE VERITAS PROVIDES "NOC" FOR STEEL PRODUCTS

Steel and steel products constitute a significant portion of imports into India, with substantial volumes entering the market. This high level of import activity raises concerns about potential product dumping. To address these issues, approximately 145 types of steel products are subject to mandatory certification by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

According to BIS regulations, steel products that require certification must display the ISI Mark, which ensures they meet high standards of quality and are free from defects. However, certain steel products are exempt from this mandatory certification. Instead, these exempted products require only a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Steel for import and customs clearance.

Ministry of Steel Quality Control Order: Essential Guidelines for Steel Import Certification

The Ministry of Steel has implemented the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order under the BIS Act, 2016. This order is regularly updated to include additional steel grades and related products. According to this Quality Control Order, all imported steel products must have BIS certification, a Mill Test Certificate, and must display ISI markings along with the BIS license number.

To streamline the process of obtaining clarifications for steel imports, the Ministry of Steel has launched the TCQCO Portal. It is now compulsory for steel importers to apply for clarification for each steel consignment entering India that lacks BIS certification via this portal. Importers must submit new applications for each consignment through the TCQCO Portal, as the Ministry issues clarifications on a consignment-by-consignment basis, unless specified otherwise.

No Objection Certificate (NOC) for Steel Importers: Essential Guidelines and Requirements

A No Objection Certificate (NOC) is crucial for steel products with specifications not included in the mandatory BIS certification list for Steel and Steel Products. When steel grades or products fall outside the mandatory BIS scope, the Ministry of Steel issues an exemption or NOC for consignments entering India.

In certain cases, customs may mistakenly require BIS registration for products based on their codes or confusion with similar items, leading to unnecessary delays and penalties in consignment clearance.

To prevent such issues, steel importers must obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Steel. This certificate confirms that the specific steel product does not fall under mandatory BIS Certification requirements. The NOC is issued by the Ministry of Steel on a per-grade, per-consignment basis.

Request for Clarification or Exemption from the Ministry of Steel

The Ministry of Steel has established a Technical Committee to review and analyze applications for clarifications regarding whether products fall under the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2020. The Ministry of Steel issues No Objection Certificates (NOC) on a per-grade, per-consignment basis.

Types of Requests:

• Advance Clarification Request: For clarification before ordering the material.

• In-Transit Clarification Request: For materials currently in transit.

• Port Arrival Clarification Request: For materials upon arrival at the destination port.

For applications requesting "Advance Clarification," please include the following details:

For applications where the material is in transit, in addition to the required documents, you must also submit all relevant documents, including the Invoice, Bill of Lading, Actual Mill Test Certificates, Insurance Copy, etc., on a per-consignment basis.

For applications where the material has reached the port of destination, in addition to the aforementioned documents, you must also provide the Bill of Entry, if available. The application’s covering letter should include detailed consignment-specific information, and all documents should be clearly flagged for easy reference.

For repeat cases, please include a copy of previous clarifications (Previous NOC) from the Ministry of Steel with your application. Clearly indicate in the subject line of your covering letter that this is a repeat case to ensure prompt processing. The No Objection Certificate (NOC) will be issued by the Ministry of Steel on a per-grade, per-consignment basis.

For further assistance, contact us at cs@absoluteveritas.com. The Absolute Veritas Team is available to help you obtain the NOC or exemption from the Ministry of Steel.

To better understand our process, please refer to the flow chart provided below.

Processing Time: 3 days following payment receipt.

The processing time is typically 20-25 days following the successful submission of your application. The Ministry of Steel (MOS) generally holds two committee meetings per month, although this frequency may vary based on the availability of MOS authorities and the volume of applications received. If the decision from the technical committee is not favorable, applicants have the option to escalate their case to the higher, empowered committee.

Absolute Veritas Provides NOC Within 30 Days

While BIS Certification is mandatory for steel and steel products, if your product's specifications differ from those covered under BIS certification, an NOC is required for export to India.

Importing steel products into India involves various formalities. To facilitate this process, the Ministry of Steel requires the following documents:

1. Product Specification

2. Test Reports

3. Declarations

4. Bill of Lading

5. Invoice

6. Packing List

7. Additional Supporting Documents

8. Applicable Fees

List of Steel Products Requiring Mandatory BIS Certification

Below is the list of steel products that must be certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and display the ISI Mark before being introduced into the Indian market.