India Announces Temporary Exemption on Certain Stainless Steel Imports

November 3, 2025 - The Indian government recently announced an import exemption for stainless steel products that do not fully comply with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) specifications, temporarily relaxing related restrictions until December 31, 2025. This move aims to alleviate domestic shortages of relevant materials and provide short-term support for downstream industries.

In an official statement released on November 3, the Indian government stated that due to insufficient domestic production of specific grades of stainless steel, this temporary exemption measure has been decided upon to ensure stable raw material supply for downstream industries. Previously, India had included multiple stainless steel grades in a mandatory quality control order, requiring all related products to obtain BIS certification for market entry. Importers also needed to pass BIS inspections of overseas factories and submit quality certificates.

This policy adjustment means that some stainless steel products not fully meeting the standards can continue to be imported until the end of the year, thereby easing the current supply pressure faced by the industrial chain.

However, concerns about the policy's long-term impact have emerged within the industry. An official from a major Indian stainless steel producer pointed out that the government should maintain policy consistency. If the exemption continues, it might lead to an influx of substandard steel into the market, potentially affecting the reasonable return on investment for enterprises.