[SMM Stainless Steel Market Flash] India Stainless MSMEs Flag 65% Import Surge, Urge Government to Restore QCO

Published: Jun 25, 2026 16:25

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Indian stainless steel MSMEs and industry bodies flagged a sharp jump in imports after a quality-control (QCO/BIS) exemption lapsed, urging the government to reinstate the Quality Control Order. Citing official data, they said stainless imports hit 101,252 mt in April 2026, up 65% from 61,143 mt a year earlier and 69% above March's 59,917 mt, and warned volumes could climb further without intervention. The exemption—covering 200- and 300-series flat products (standards IS 6911, IS 5522, IS 15997) for shipments loaded by 31 March 2026—was meant to ease MSME raw-material access but is seen as enabling cheap, often Chinese, inflows. Reinstating the QCO would tighten 200/300-series flat imports and adds to New Delhi's broader steel-protection push.

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