Ministry of Steel exempts 202 BIS licences on SIMS for input steel supplied by ISPs — August 2025 update
The Ministry of Steel (Technical Division) has issued an order (F. No. S-20011/15/2024-TECH) announcing exemptions on the SIMS portal for 202 BIS licences covering input steel used in final products supplied by Integrated Steel Plants (ISPs).
What’s changed
- 202 BIS licences listed in Annexure-1 have been exempted on the SIMS portal from the mandatory adherence requirement for input steel used in ISP-supplied final products.
- These exemptions are based on declarations by the concerned parties and are subject to verification by BIS.
- The Ministry has clarified this is a continuous exercise; additional licences may be exempted as requests are received in line with the earlier order dated 11.07.2025.
Who features in the exemptions
Annexure-1 names foreign manufacturers across multiple countries—including Japan, South Korea, Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, Russia, Sweden, and more—whose BIS licences are covered by this exemption. Notable entries include Nippon Steel Corporation (43 licences) and JFE Steel Corporation (26 licences), among others.
What this means for importers, ISPs, and downstream manufacturers
- Smoother clearances on SIMS: With the listed licences exempted from the mandatory adherence requirement for eligible ISP-supplied inputs, stakeholders can expect reduced friction in import monitoring and documentation for those specific cases.
- Verification still applies: Because exemptions rest on submitted declarations, BIS verification may be undertaken, so keep documentary evidence updated and accessible.
- Ongoing updates likely: As the Ministry will add more licences over time (subject to requests and checks), businesses should monitor for further annexures/updates.
Immediate actions to take
- Review Annexure-1: Check if your (or your supplier’s) BIS licence is listed among the 202 exempted numbers.
- Map exemptions to active shipments: Align the exempted licence(s) with your current and upcoming imports intended for ISP-supplied final products.
- Maintain compliance files: Preserve declarations, licence copies, contracts with ISPs, mill test certificates, and past SIMS filings for potential verification.
- Stay alert for additions: Since exemptions are ongoing, set up an internal alert to re- check future orders/annexures and update your SOPs.
For tailored guidance on how this update applies to your products or supply chain, contact Aleph INDIA’s compliance team.
