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India’s Ministry of Steel has extended the enforcement deadline for its Quality Control Order(QCO) on imported steel and related products by one month. The deferral offers a temporary exemption for shipments with a bill of lading dated before July 15,2025, easing concerns for importers managing in-transit cargo.
Initially, implemented on June 13, the QCO mandates Bureau of Indian Standards(BIS) certification for all imported steel inputs. However, industry stakeholders- especially MSMEs- raised concerns over compliance costs, certification costs, certification delays, and potential losses on pre-booked consignments.
In response, the government announced the deferral after a July 7 consultation with stakeholders. It also outlined a simplified BIS certification process: two months for plant audits followed by another two months for issuing certificates. This phased timeline is expected to help foreign suppliers and Indian imported adjust without disrupting ongoing trade.
The move is widely seen as a relief for the industry, allowing more time to align with domestic quality standards while maintaining critical supply chains. It reflects the government’s effort to support Make in India goals without imposing abrupt non-tariff barriers.
The extension is seen as a relief for importers, allowing better alignment with quality standards without disrupting trade flows. The move underscores India's balancing act between raising domestic manufacturing standards and preventing non-tariff trade barriers. However, stakeholders closely await further clarity on certification timelines and the final rollout schedule.
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