Ferro-niobium

Ferro-niobium, a ferro-alloy for steel alloying

SIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 7202 93 00 (Ferro-niobium) is subject to compulsory advance registration under the Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS), administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under Policy Condition 5 of Chapter 72. An automatic registration number must be obtained online before the consignment arrives, and the Restricted-import overlay under the ITC (HS) policy applies concurrently.

What this is

HSN code

7202 93 00

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

Primary regulator

SIMS · ITC (HS) Policy Condition 5, Chapter 72 (DGFT NTFN 33/2015-20)

Customs documentation

SIMS registration number from DGFT
ITC (HS) policy compliance from DGFT

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

SIMSSIMS·Steel Import Monitoring System

Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

Compliance steps

1
Register the import in the SIMS online portal and obtain the automatic registration number before the consignment arrives. The application may be submitted no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival, and the registration number remains valid for 75 days from the date of grant.
DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023 · Policy Condition 5 of Chapter 72
2
Pay the SIMS registration fee of ₹500 at the time of online application. Present the SIMS registration number at the bill of entry; customs will verify the number before granting out-of-charge.
DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023 · Policy Condition 5 of Chapter 72

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is confusing the abolished minimum-advance-registration window with the still-operative 60-day earliest-filing rule. DGFT Notification 19/2015-20 dated 07-07-2022 removed the requirement that registration be obtained at least 15 days before arrival — but registration can still only be applied for within the 60-day pre-arrival window, and the 75-day validity of the number means a consignment delayed beyond that window will require a fresh application and fee.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7202 93 00 require BIS certification?

No. No BIS Quality Control Order covers ferro-niobium or ferro-alloys under this tariff line. Import is governed by the Steel Import Monitoring System administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under Policy Condition 5 of Chapter 72 and DGFT Notification 33/2015-20.

Does SIMS registration apply when ferro-niobium is re-imported from a Special Economic Zone without value addition?

No. Per DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022, steel items exported from the Domestic Tariff Area to an SEZ and re-imported into the DTA — whether with or without value addition — are exempt from SIMS registration requirements.

What happens if the SIMS registration number expires before the consignment arrives at port?

The 75-day validity runs from the date of grant; a consignment arriving after expiry lacks a valid registration number, exposing it to detention at the port of entry. A fresh SIMS application and ₹500 fee must be submitted before customs out-of-charge can be given.

Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-16. Source: SIMS / DGFT / Indian Customs CUSDATA.