The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has issued Instruction No. 01/2026–Customs, granting a one-time exemption from the Cross Recessed Screws (Quality Control) Order, 2025 for certain consignments that had already arrived at Indian ports. The instruction, dated 17 January 2026, seeks to operationalise an order issued by the Ministry of Steel earlier this month and provide clarity to field formations of Customs.

The issue traces its origin to the Cross Recessed Screws (Quality Control) Order, 2025, notified by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) on 27 August 2025. The Quality Control Order (QCO) mandated compliance with prescribed standards for cross recessed screws, with the date of implementation fixed as 1 November 2025. However, separate later dates were notified for Small Enterprises (1 February 2026) and Micro Enterprises (1 May 2026).

Subsequently, vide an Office Memorandum dated 4 November 2025, DPIIT transferred matters relating to iron and steel products falling under Chapter 72 (4 HSN codes) and Chapter 73 (250 HSN codes) to the Ministry of Steel. Following this transfer, the Ministry of Steel received multiple representations from trade stakeholders seeking relief for consignments that had already arrived at ports but became non-compliant due to the sudden enforcement of the QCO.

Taking cognisance of these representations, the Ministry of Steel, through an order issued on 13 January 2026, granted a one-time exemption from the QCO. The exemption applies to consignments having an inward entry date between 1 November 2025 and 12 January 2026, effectively covering shipments that were already in the import pipeline when the quality norms came into force.

Based on this decision, the CBIC has now formally instructed all Principal Chief Commissioners, Chief Commissioners, Principal Commissioners, Commissioners of Customs, and Directorates under CBIC to take necessary action. The instruction emphasises that such consignments are to be treated as exempt from the Quality Control Order, and officers are to be suitably sensitised to ensure uniform implementation at ports and customs stations.

The CBIC has further clarified that any difficulties faced in implementing this exemption may be brought to the notice of the Board for resolution. A Hindi version of the instruction has also been issued to ensure wider dissemination.

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