The CBIC Instruction dated 17 January 2026 clarifies the implementation of the Cross Recessed Screws (Quality Control) Order, 2025, originally issued with effect from 1 November 2025, with deferred timelines for small and micro enterprises. Following the transfer of regulatory responsibility for iron and steel products under Chapters 72 and 73 from DPIIT to the Ministry of Steel, multiple representations were received seeking relief for consignments already at ports. Considering these circumstances, the Ministry of Steel granted a one-time exemption from Quality Control Order (QCO) compliance for consignments with inward entry dates between 1 November 2025 and 12 January 2026. The CBIC has instructed field formations to sensitise officers to ensure uniform application of this exemption during customs clearance. The instruction provides crucial transitional relief to importers and trade, preventing disruption to consignments caught between the original enforcement date and subsequent administrative realignment of regulatory oversight.
F.No.401/04/2025-Cus.III
Government of India
Ministry of Finance,
Department of Revenue
(Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs)
Instruction No. 01/2026-Customs | Dated: 17-01-2026
To
All Principal Chief Commissioners/ Chief Commissioners of Customs/ Customs (Preventive)/Customs & Central Taxes.
All Principal Commissioners/Commissioners of Customs /Customs (Preventive).
All Pr. Director General/Director Generals under CBIC.
Subject: Cross Recessed Screws (Quality Control) Order, 2025 dated 27.08.2025-regarding.
Madam/Sir,
Reference is invited to the Ministry of Steel’s Order dated 13.01.2026, issued from file No. S-20011/15/2024-Tech-Part(2) (copy attached) on the above subject.
2. Vide the above Order, the Ministry of Steel has informed that Cross Recessed Screws (Quality Control) Order, 2025 dated 27th Aug 25 on Cross Recessed Screws was issued by Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, with effective date of implementation as 1st November 2025, except for Small and Micro Enterprises for whom the implementation dates have been notified as 1st February, 2026 and 1st May, 2026 respectively.
3. Subsequently, work related to Iron and Steel products falling under Chapter 72 (4 HSN Codes) and Chapter 73 (250 HSN Codes) has been transferred by DPIIT to Ministry of Steel vide O.M. Dated 04th November, 2025. Ministry of Steel was in receipt of various representations seeking one time exemption for aforesaid QCO compliance for the consignments already arrived at port. In view of above, consignments having inward entry date between 1st November 2025 to 12th January 2026 are exempted from quality control order.
4. It is requested that necessary action may be taken to sensitize officers under your jurisdiction regarding the said matter.
5. The difficulties, if any, may be brought to the notice of the
Board.
Hindi version follows.
Yours faithfully,
Encls: as above.
(Neeraj Goyal)
OSD (Cus-III)
F. No. S-20011/15/2024-TECH-Part(2)
Ministry of Steel
Government of India
Technical Division
GPOA-3 , Netaji Nagar
Dated: 13th January, 2026.
ORDER
With reference to Cross Recessed Screws (Quality Control) Order, 2025
dated 27th Aug’25 on Cross Recessed Screws issued by Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, with effective date of implementation as 1st November 2025, except for Small and Micro Enterprises for whom the implementation dates have been notified as 1st February, 2026 and 1st May, 2026 respectively.
2.0 Subsequently, work related to Iron and Steel products falling under Chapter
72 (4 HSN Codes) and Chapter 73 (250 HSN Codes) has been transferred by DPIIT to Ministry of Steel vide OM. Dated 04th November, 2025.
3.0 Ministry is in receipt of various representations seeking one time exemption
for aforesaid QCO compliance for the consignments already arrived at port.
4 . 0 In view of above, consignments having inward entry date between 1st November 2025 to 12th January 2026 are exempted from quality control order.
(G. Sarathy Raja)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India
Tel: 24155780
Email: g.sarathyraja@gov.in
Copy to,
1. The Chairman, CBIC, D/o Revenue, M/o Finance.
2. The Director General. Bureau of Indian Standard.
