Iron & Steel Export Guide for Indian Exporters

Industry Overview

India is the world's second-largest steel producer (after China), with crude steel production exceeding 140 million tonnes annually. The country's iron and steel exports were valued at approximately $27.3 billion in FY 2024-25, making it one of the top export sectors for the Indian economy. The National Steel Policy 2017 has set a target of 300 million tonnes of annual capacity by 2030-31, with a strategic focus on increasing value-added and specialty steel exports.

India's steel industry is anchored by integrated steel plants in Jamshedpur (Tata Steel), Rourkela, Bhilai, Durgapur, Bokaro, Visakhapatnam, and Bellary-Hospet. The private sector (led by JSW Steel, Tata Steel, Jindal Steel & Power, AM/NS India (ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel), and SAIL) accounts for the bulk of production and exports. Secondary steel producers and re-rolling mills in clusters across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Punjab, and Chhattisgarh add significant capacity for downstream products.

Key Export Products

HS Code Reference. Chapters 72 & 73

Iron and steel exports are classified under two HS chapters. Getting the correct 8-digit HS code is critical for duty rates, FTA eligibility, anti-dumping exposure, and CBAM applicability.

Chapter 72. Iron and Steel

Chapter 73. Articles of Iron or Steel

Key Destination Markets

Indian steel reaches over 150 countries. The following markets account for the majority of export value and each has its own compliance requirements.

EU CBAM. Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism

The EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (EU Regulation 2023/956) is the single biggest regulatory change affecting Indian steel exports to Europe. It puts a carbon price on imported goods equivalent to what EU producers pay under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS).

Timeline

• Oct 2023. Dec 2025: Transitional phase. Quarterly CBAM reports required from EU importers, no financial obligations.
• Jan 2026 onwards: Definitive phase. EU importers must purchase CBAM certificates. Free ETS allocations phased out at 2.5% per year, reaching 100% removal by 2034.

Embedded Emissions Calculation

Indian steel exporters must provide EU buyers with facility-specific emissions data covering:

• 1. Direct emissions (Scope 1). Combustion of fuels (coking coal, natural gas, oil), process emissions from iron ore reduction, and emissions from limestone/dolomite flux.
• 2. Indirect emissions (Scope 2). Electricity consumed in steelmaking, rolling, and finishing. India's coal-heavy grid inflates this figure relative to competitors.
• 3. Precursor emissions. Emissions from input materials (pig iron, ferro-alloys, coke) if sourced externally.

Financial Impact on Indian Steel

Indian steel averages approximately 2.1 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of crude steel produced (BF-BOF route). With EU ETS prices around €80/tonne CO2, the additional cost per tonne of steel is €100. 170 at full CBAM implementation. Since India has no domestic carbon price recognised by the EU, Indian exporters face the full cost with zero deduction , unlike competitors from countries with carbon pricing mechanisms (UK, South Korea, etc.).

For a detailed walkthrough of CBAM compliance steps, see our EU CBAM Guide for Indian Exporters .

Anti-Dumping Duties on Indian Steel

Indian steel products face anti-dumping duties (ADD) and countervailing duties (CVD) in several major markets. These are product-specific and exporter-specific, meaning the duty rate varies by HS code and sometimes by the specific producing company.

Key Concepts

• DGTR investigations: India's Directorate General of Trade Remedies handles domestic ADD/CVD cases. Indian exporters facing ADD abroad should cooperate with the investigating authority to get individual (lower) duty rates rather than accept the country-wide residual rate.
• Sunset reviews: ADD orders are typically valid for 5 years and can be extended through sunset reviews. Track expiry dates for markets you export to.
• Circumvention risk: Routing exports through third countries to avoid ADD is illegal. Investigating authorities actively pursue circumvention cases. Vietnam and Thailand have been subjects of such investigations for Chinese and Indian steel.

For a deeper dive, see our Anti-Dumping Duty Guide for Indian Exporters .

BIS Certification for Steel

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) administers mandatory quality certification for steel products sold in India under the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Orders. While BIS certification is primarily a domestic requirement, it has implications for exporters who source steel domestically or whose products may be re-imported.

Key IS Standards for Steel

Quality Certifications

Beyond BIS, international buyers typically require a combination of management system certifications, product-specific approvals, and third-party inspection reports.

Management System Certifications

• ISO 9001:2015. Quality Management System. Essential baseline for any steel exporter. Covers process control, documentation, and continuous improvement.
• ISO 14001:2015. Environmental Management System. Increasingly required by EU and Japanese buyers. Demonstrates environmental compliance and is relevant for CBAM preparation.
• ISO 45001:2018. Occupational Health and Safety. Required by many multinational steel traders and OEM buyers.
• ISO 50001. Energy Management System. Relevant for demonstrating energy efficiency, useful for CBAM emissions reduction claims.

Product Certifications & Inspection

• Mill Test Certificate (MTC). EN 10204 Type 3.1 (manufacturer declaration with test results) or Type 3.2 (with third-party witness). Required for every shipment.
• Third-party inspection. Pre-shipment inspection by SGS, Bureau Veritas, Lloyd's Register, TUV, or Intertek. Standard for bulk steel shipments, especially for new buyer relationships.
• CE marking. Mandatory for structural steel products sold in the EU under the Construction Products Regulation (CPR). Requires factory production control (FPC) certification by a notified body.
• API certification. Required for pipes and tubes used in oil and gas applications (API 5L, API 5CT). Covers line pipe and casing/tubing specifications.

Steel Export Policy & Regulations

India's steel export policy has been dynamic, reflecting the government's balancing act between supporting domestic availability and encouraging export competitiveness.

Export Duty History

In May 2022, India imposed a 15% export duty on select steel products (iron ore, pellets, HR coils, certain stainless steel grades) to curb domestic price inflation. These duties were fully withdrawn by November 2022 after global steel prices corrected. As of August 2026, most steel products are freely exportable with no export duty. However, exporters should monitor DGFT notifications as policy can shift quickly based on domestic demand-supply dynamics.

DGFT Notifications

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade periodically issues notifications on export restrictions or liberalisations for steel products. Exporters should subscribe to DGFT notification alerts and check the ITC (HS) classification status (free, restricted, prohibited) for their specific products before contracting.

Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS)

While SIMS (introduced in 2019) is primarily an import monitoring mechanism requiring advance registration for steel imports, it signals the government's intent to closely track steel trade flows. Exporters should be aware that destination countries may have similar monitoring systems that require advance notification.

MEIS to RoDTEP Transition

The Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) was replaced by RoDTEP (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products) from January 2021. Steel products that were earlier covered under MEIS at 2. 3% now receive RoDTEP benefits at lower rates (typically 0.5. 1.5%), reflecting the WTO-compliant nature of the new scheme.

FTA Benefits for Steel Exports

India's network of Free Trade Agreements and Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements offers preferential tariff access for steel products in several key markets.

Export Incentives & Schemes

RoDTEP (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products)

Steel products under HS 72. 73 are eligible for RoDTEP benefits at rates typically ranging from 0.5% to 1.5% of FOB value. RoDTEP reimburses embedded central, state, and local taxes and duties that are not otherwise refunded. Exporters receive transferable duty credit scrips credited to their ICEGATE account.

Duty Drawback

Exporters can claim Duty Drawback under the Customs Act 1962 for customs duties paid on imported raw materials (coking coal, ferro-alloys, zinc, tin) used in the manufacture of exported steel products. Brand rate drawback (actual duty incidence) typically yields higher refunds than the All Industry Rate for steel.

Advance Authorisation

Allows duty-free import of raw materials and intermediates (coking coal, iron ore pellets, ferro-alloys, zinc ingots, refractories) for use in export production. The exporter must fulfil the export obligation within the stipulated period (typically 18 months). SION (Standard Input-Output Norms) published by DGFT specify the allowable input quantities per unit of output.

EPCG Scheme

The Export Promotion Capital Goods scheme allows duty-free import of capital equipment (rolling mills, furnaces, casting machines, testing equipment) against an export obligation of 6x the duty saved, to be fulfilled over 6 years. This significantly reduces capex for steel producers expanding export-oriented capacity.

EEPC India. Engineering Export Promotion Council

EEPC India is the apex body for the promotion of engineering goods exports, including iron and steel products. Membership is highly recommended for steel exporters as it provides:

• RCMC issuance. Registration-cum-Membership Certificate, required for claiming export incentives under FTP.
• Trade fair participation. Subsidised participation in international exhibitions like IESS (India Engineering Sourcing Show), Hannover Messe, and buyer-seller meets.
• Market intelligence. Country-specific trade data, anti-dumping alerts, and tariff analysis reports.
• Trade dispute support. Assistance in anti-dumping investigations, countervailing duty cases, and safeguard proceedings in destination countries.
• Certificate of Origin. EEPC is an authorised issuing body for non-preferential Certificates of Origin for engineering exports.

Iron & Steel Export Compliance Checklist

Use this checklist before your first steel export shipment. And review periodically as regulations change.

• Verify correct 8-digit HS code against ITC (HS) schedule and destination tariff schedule
• Confirm product is freely exportable (check latest DGFT notifications for any restrictions or export duty)
• Obtain IEC (Importer-Exporter Code) from DGFT if not already held
• Register with EEPC India and obtain RCMC for engineering goods
• Ensure BIS licence is current for products under Steel QCO (if domestically sourced inputs require it)
• Obtain ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications for your manufacturing facility
• Prepare Mill Test Certificates (EN 10204 Type 3.1/3.2) for every heat and lot
• Arrange third-party pre-shipment inspection (SGS, Bureau Veritas, Lloyd's) as required by buyer/LC terms
• For EU exports: calculate facility-specific embedded emissions for CBAM reporting; engage an accredited verifier
• For EU exports: obtain CE marking (CPR) for structural steel products through a notified body
• Check anti-dumping duty status for your specific HS code in the destination country before quoting price
• Apply for Certificate of Origin from the designated authority if claiming FTA preferential tariff
• File RoDTEP claim on ICEGATE; ensure correct HS code and scheme eligibility
• Evaluate Advance Authorisation vs. Duty Drawback for imported raw material duty recovery
• Arrange marine insurance and verify Incoterms in the sales contract match LC terms
• File Shipping Bill on ICEGATE and ensure LEO (Let Export Order) is obtained before vessel loading
• Complete AD Code registration with customs for your bank account to receive export proceeds
• File EDPMS documentation with your AD bank and ensure timely realisation of export proceeds within RBI timelines

Frequently Asked Questions

What HS codes cover Indian iron and steel exports?

Iron and steel exports are classified under HS Chapter 72 (iron and steel) and Chapter 73 (articles of iron or steel). Chapter 72 covers primary products from pig iron (7201) through flat-rolled products (7208. 7212), stainless steel (7218. 7223), and alloy steel (7224. 7229). Chapter 73 covers downstream articles including pipes (7304. 7306), structures (7308), and fasteners (7318).

How does the EU CBAM affect Indian steel exports?

The EU CBAM requires importers to purchase carbon certificates based on the embedded emissions in imported steel. Indian steel, averaging 2.1 tonnes CO2 per tonne, faces an additional cost of €100. 170 per tonne at full implementation. Since India has no recognised carbon price, there is zero deduction available, putting Indian exporters at a competitive disadvantage. Providing actual facility-specific emissions data (rather than default values) is critical to minimising the cost impact.

Which countries impose anti-dumping duties on Indian steel?

The US (Section 232 plus product-specific ADD), EU (safeguard quotas and ADD on select products), Canada, Turkey, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand all have active anti-dumping or safeguard measures on Indian steel products. Duty rates are product-specific and vary by exporting company. Cooperating with investigating authorities during reviews helps secure lower individual duty rates.

Is BIS certification required for steel exports?

BIS certification under the Steel QCO is mandatory for domestic sale but not strictly required for exports. However, destination countries have their own standards. EN standards for EU, ASTM for the US, JIS for Japan. Ensuring products meet the destination country's applicable standards is essential. BIS certification remains relevant if you source steel domestically for further processing before export.

What export incentives are available for steel?

Steel exporters can access RoDTEP (0.5. 1.5% of FOB), Duty Drawback (refund of customs duty on imported inputs), Advance Authorisation (duty-free import of raw materials like coking coal and ferro-alloys), and EPCG (duty-free capital equipment imports against export obligations). These schemes can be stacked, though Advance Authorisation and Duty Drawback are mutually exclusive for the same input.

What FTA benefits are available for Indian steel?

India-Japan CEPA and India-Korea CEPA offer reduced or zero duty on many steel tariff lines. India-ASEAN FTA covers Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia. India-UAE CEPA (effective May 2022) provides preferential rates on certain categories. India-Nepal Treaty of Trade offers zero duty on most products. A Certificate of Origin and compliance with Rules of Origin (typically 35. 40% domestic value addition) are mandatory to claim benefits.

What quality certifications do international steel buyers require?

ISO 9001 (quality management) and ISO 14001 (environmental management) are baseline requirements. Mill Test Certificates (EN 10204 Type 3.1 or 3.2) are mandatory for every shipment. Third-party inspection by SGS, Bureau Veritas, or Lloyd's Register is standard for bulk shipments. CE marking is required for structural steel to the EU. API certification (5L, 5CT) is needed for oil and gas pipe applications.

Is there currently an export duty on steel from India?

As of August 2026, there is no export duty on most steel products. The 15% export duty imposed in May 2022 on select products (iron ore, HR coils, certain stainless grades) was fully withdrawn by November 2022. However, the government can reimpose duties with short notice, so exporters should monitor DGFT notifications and include price adjustment clauses in long-term contracts to manage this policy risk.

Update history

• 2026-08-12 First published.