Importing steel from China to India
India is one of the largest destinations for Chinese steel, and also one of the most tightly regulated. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) operates mandatory certification for a long list of steel products under Quality Control Orders, and material that arrives without valid certification can be held or rejected at the port.
Most disputes on the China–India lane are not exotic: they are grade substitution on structural steel, under-weight rebar billed on theoretical weight, and certificates that do not match the steel in the container. Clearing BIS and verifying the metal independently removes the large majority of that risk.
Required certification
- Regulator
- Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
- Scheme
- BIS / ISI mark under Quality Control Orders
Many steel products (e.g. IS 1786 for rebar, IS 2062 for structural steel) fall under mandatory BIS certification. Overseas manufacturers must hold a valid BIS licence under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) for covered products. Confirm the licence number on the BIS portal and that it covers the exact product and grade.
Customs & clearance
- Confirm the product is BIS-covered and the mill holds a valid FMCS licence before ordering.
- Match the licence number, product, and grade against the BIS portal — not just the certificate PDF.
- Expect customs sampling and testing for covered products; build the timeline into your contract.
Main entry ports: Nhava Sheva (JNPT) · Mundra · Chennai · Kolkata
Top fraud risks on this lane
- Grade substitution on structural steelQ235 supplied against an S355 / IS 2062 E350 certificate is a recurring problem for project steel.
- Theoretical-weight rebarUnder-rolled HRB400 billed on nominal kg/m quietly delivers less steel than paid for.
- Fake conformity certificatesForged BIS or mill certificates used to pass non-compliant material through clearance.
Pre-payment checklist for India
- 1Verify the mill's BIS / FMCS licence covers your exact product and grade.
- 2Require mill test certificates and confirm heat numbers with the named mill.
- 3Specify actual (weighed) settlement or tight tolerance for rebar in the contract.
- 4Book PMI testing and pre-shipment inspection before paying the balance.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need BIS certification to import Chinese steel into India?
For products covered by a Quality Control Order — including most rebar and structural steel — yes. The overseas mill must hold a valid BIS licence under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme, and uncertified material can be detained at the port.
How do I check a BIS licence is genuine?
Look up the licence number on the official BIS portal and confirm it covers the exact product and grade you are importing. Do not rely on a certificate PDF supplied by the trader alone.
Score this supplier before you pay
Run the free verification checklist tailored to high-risk steel orders.