The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), on January 17, 2026, issued Instruction No. 01/2026-Customs regarding implementation of the Cross Recessed Screws (Quality Control) Order, 2025. The instruction refers to the Ministry of Steel’s communication dated January 13, 2026, concerning enforcement of the Quality Control Order (QCO) originally notified on August 27, 2025 by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
The QCO mandates compulsory quality compliance for Cross Recessed Screws with effect from 1 November 2025. However, separate implementation timelines were prescribed for enterprises, namely 1 February 2026 for Small Enterprises and 1 May 2026 for Micro Enterprises. Subsequent to the transfer of administrative responsibility for iron and steel products under Chapters 72 and 73 from DPIIT to the Ministry of Steel on November 4, 2025, the Ministry received multiple representations seeking relief for consignments already in transit.
Considering these representations, the Ministry of Steel has granted a one-time exemption from QCO compliance for consignments with an inward entry date between 1 November 2025 and 12 January 2026. CBIC has accordingly directed field formations to sensitise officers under their jurisdiction and ensure uniform implementation of the exemption. Any operational difficulties are to be reported to the Board.
[Instruction No. 01/2026-Customs]
