The Ministry of Steel on November 20, 2025, eases Rules for Import of Steel Grades Not Covered Under QCOs.
The Ministry of Steel has reviewed and streamlined procedures relating to steel imports to ease compliance and improve business processes.
Imports of Steel Grades Not Covered by QCOs
• The earlier requirement to obtain clarification/NOC (as per circular dated 20 October 2023) for non-QCO steel grades has been withdrawn based on recommendations of the High-Level Committee on Non-Financial Regulatory Reforms.
• All such non-QCO grades have been mapped on the Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) portal.
• Importers may directly generate SIMS numbers without any reference or approval from the Ministry.
Imports of Steel Grades Covered by QCOs
• Steel covered under QCOs must be imported only from manufacturers holding valid BIS licences.
• Where a manufacturer lacks a BIS licence, an existing exemption mechanism continues through a Committee established via Order No. 1(9)/2019-TD dated 14 May 2020.
• The Committee (comprising BIS, DGFT, and domain experts) will continue to evaluate exemption requests.
• Exemption applications may be submitted through the SIMS portal.
[Release ID: 2192101]
