Temporary Exemptions from QCO Compliance for Specified Steel Products

As an extension of the earlier Quality control Order (QCO) issued by the Ministry of Steel, released on the 20th November 2025, the Competent Authority, the Government of India, has granted a conditional exemption from the mandatory compliance with the respective Quality control order (QCO) for specific steel products. This exemption covers the import of goods with a bill of lading dated on or before 30th June 2026, aimed at securing supply, addressing product shortages and assisting importers in obtaining BIS certification.

Validity of the Exemption

The government's exemption is deadline-driven and applies under specific conditions. According to the Ministry of Steel, this exemption is only valid for steel products with a shipment date (Bill of Lading) on or before 30th June 2026. Only goods dispatched before or on this date are qualified for the exemption. This exemption is a short-term regulatory relief measure, and importers should use this window strategically to plan.

Check the process of BIS Certification for Steels Products or other

Annexure I- Key Exempted Products (IS Standards & HS codes Exempted from QCO Compliance):-

The table below includes a complete list of ISI Standards and product descriptions that are included in the exemption:-

S. No.	IS Standard	Description	ITC HS Code
1	IS 10325	Square Tins - 15 kg/litre for Ghee, Vanaspati, Edible Oils and Bakery Shortenings	73102110, 73102910
2	IS 1161	Steel Tubes for Structural Purposes - Specification	73043119, 73043129, 73043139, 73043919, 73043929, 73043939, 73045910, 73045920, 73045930, 73049000, 73053190, 73053990, 73059099, 73063090, 73069090
3	IS 1239 (Part 1)	Steel Tubes, Tubulars and Other Wrought Steel Fittings – Part 1: Steel Tubes	73043119, 73043129, 73043919, 73043929, 73049000, 73063090, 73069019, 73069090
4	IS 13997	Drums, Large Open Top	73101090
5	IS 14756	Stainless Steel Utensils - Specification	73239310, 73239390
6	IS 15155	Bar or Wire Wrapped Steel Cylinder Products, Pipes with Mortar Lining and Coating, including Specials - Specifications	73053190, 73053990, 73059099, 73063090, 73069090, 73079190, 73079290, 73079390, 73079990
7	IS 1783 (Part 1)	Drums, Large, Fixed Ends, Grade ‘A’ Drums	73101090
8	IS 1783 (Part 2)	Drums, Large, Fixed Ends, Grade ‘B’ Drums	73101090
9	IS 17875	Stainless Steel Seamless Pipes and Tubes for General Services - Specification	73044100, 73044900
10	IS 17876	Stainless Steel Welded Pipes and Tubes for General Service	73053190, 73053990, 73064000
11	IS 2141	Hot Dip Galvanised Stay Strand	73121030, 73129000
12	IS 2552	Steel Drums (Galvanised and Ungalvanized)	73101090, 73102190, 73102990
13	IS 3575	Bitumen Drums	73101090
14	IS 4270	Steel Tubes Used for Water Wells - Specification	73043119, 73043129, 73043139, 73044100, 73044900, 73045110, 73045120, 73045130, 73045910, 73045920, 73045930, 73049000, 73053190, 73053990, 73059099, 73063090, 73064000, 73065000, 73069090
15	IS 6913	Stainless Steel Tubes for the Food and Beverage Industry	73044100, 73044900, 73064000
16	IS 916	Square Tins for Solid Products	73102110, 73102910

Key Implications for Importers

Based on the latest order, the ITC-HS codes listed in Annexure I are exempted from mandatory Quality Control Order (QCO) compliance by the designated authority. The following points summarise the key implications:

Without the QCO compliance, importers can clear their shipments within the allowed timeframe.
Any shipment made by importers after 30th June 2026 will require full compliance with QCO norms.
The date acts as a cut-off for eligibility under the exemption.

Conclusion

The government’s decision indicates that certain steel product imports are exempt until 30th June 2026 to give temporary relief and flexibility to the business. Though the exemption is for short-term relief, businesses need to act with foresight, using this period to prepare for the reintroduction of compliance after the deadline.

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Anushka Pandey

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She is an experienced content writer at ERCS Pvt. Ltd., an organization that assists companies with certification and regulatory support. She writes informative content on government certificatio...

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Temporary Exemptions from QCO Compliance for Specified Steel Products

Validity of the Exemption