The Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) has issued Instruction No. 01/2026-Customs dated January 17, 2026 to all field formations, providing important clarifications regarding implementation of the Cross Recessed Screws (Quality Control) Order, 2025, originally notified by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Background
The QCO on Cross Recessed Screws, dated 27 August 2025, was scheduled for implementation from 1 November 2025. For Small Enterprises, the effective date was notified as 1 February 2026, and for Micro Enterprises, 1 May 2026.
Later, vide Office Memorandum dated 4 November 2025, the DPIIT transferred work related to Iron and Steel products falling under:
- Chapter 72 (4 HSN codes)
- Chapter 73 (250 HSN codes) to the Ministry of Steel, which subsequently received several representations seeking a one-time exemption for consignments already arrived at ports.
Key Clarification / Exemption
As per the Order dated 13 January 2026, issued by the Ministry of Steel (F. No. S-20011/15/2024-TECH-Part(2)) and attached with the CBIC instruction, the Government has decided the following:
Consignments of Cross Recessed Screws having inward entry dates between
1 November 2025 and 12 January 2026 are exempted from compliance with the Quality Control Order, 2025.
This one-time exemption has been granted to address concerns of importers whose goods had arrived at ports during the transitional period.
Action Required
CBIC has instructed all Customs zones to sensitize officers under their respective jurisdictions regarding this exemption and ensure uniform implementation across all ports.
Further Guidance
Stakeholders encountering any operational difficulties may bring them to the notice of the Board for timely resolution.
The Instruction can be accessed at: https://taxinformation.cbic.gov.in/view-pdf/1000570/ENG/Instructions
