The Ministry of Steel announced on 20 NOV 2025 that it has extended certain exemptions for select Chapter 73 and Stainless Steel Flat Products to 31 March 2026. This decision was made to maintain steady market availability of critical steel products and support national self-reliance objectives.
The exemption from mandatory QCO compliance for specified Chapter 73 steel products imports with a Bill of Lading shipped on board by 31.10.2025 has been extended to imports with a Bill of Lading shipped on board by 31.03.2026.
The exemption of Indian Standards IS 6911, IS 5522, and IS 15997 for stainless steel flat product imports with a Bill of Lading shipped on board by 31.12.2025, has also been extended to imports with a Bill of Lading shipped on board by 31.03.2026. The release ID is 2192099 and the visitor counter is 782.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Steel: The ministry responsible for approving the extension of exemptions related to steel imports.
Chapter 73 Steel Products: Certain steel products under Chapter 73, for which mandatory QCO compliance has been exempted for imports with Bill of Lading shipped by a specified date.
Stainless Steel Flat Products: Certain stainless steel flat products (200 and 300 series) for which adherence to specific Indian Standards (IS 6911, IS 5522 and IS 15997) has been exempted for imports with Bill of Lading shipped by a specified date.
Ministry of Steel
Exemption Deadlines for Select Chapter 73
and Stainless Steel Flat Products Extended to
31 March 2026
Posted On: 20 NOV 2025 4:01PM by PIB Delhi
In order to preserve the interests of stakeholders and ensure steady market availability of critical steel
products as domestic production capacities scale up in line with national self-reliance objectives, the
Ministry of Steel has reviewed the concerns submitted by industry participants. Consequent to this
review, the Ministry has approved extension of certain exemptions, which are detailed below for the
information of all concerned.
Exemption for Certain Chapter 73 Steel Products
Based on representations received from industry, the Ministry had earlier granted exemption from
mandatory QCO compliance for specified Chapter 73 steel products for imports with Bill of Lading
having shipped on board date on or before 31.10.2025.
This exemption has now been extended to imports with Bill of Lading having shipped on board date
on or before 31.03.2026.
Exemption of Input Adherence for Stainless Steel Flat Products
In view of the representations received from stainless steel importers regarding substantial advance
payments already made to foreign manufacturers and the prevailing shortfall in domestic availability
of 200 and 300 series stainless steel flat products as domestic capacities continue to ramp up, the
Ministry had earlier exempted three Indian Standards applicable to stainless steel flat products—IS
6911, IS 5522 and IS 15997—for imports with Bill of Lading having shipped on board date on or
before 31.12.2025.
This exemption has now been extended to imports with Bill of Lading having shipped on board date
on or before 31.03.2026.
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AG
(Release ID: 2192099) Visitor Counter : 782
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