Ferro-cobalt

Ferro-cobalt, ferro-alloys under steel import monitoring

SIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 7202 99 13 (Ferro-cobalt) requires compulsory advance registration under the Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under policy condition no. 5 of Chapter 72 and DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020. An automatic registration number valid for 75 days must be obtained before the consignment arrives at the Indian port of entry.

What this is

HSN code

7202 99 13

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

Primary regulator

SIMS · DGFT policy condition no. 5 of Chapter 72; DGFT Notification 33/2015-20

Customs documentation

SIMS automatic registration number from DGFT
Registration fee payment receipt 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
Submit advance import information through the SIMS online portal to obtain an automatic registration number before the consignment's expected date of arrival. The application may be filed no earlier than 60 days before expected arrival, and the registration fee of ₹500 is payable at the time of application.
DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 28/23 dated 28-08-2023
2
Ensure the automatic SIMS registration number is valid on the date of arrival; the registration remains valid for 75 days from grant. Present the registration number at the bill-of-entry stage — the minimum 15-day advance registration requirement has been abolished.
DGFT Notification 28/23 dated 28-08-2023 · DGFT Notification 19/2015-20 dated 07-07-2022
3
Verify whether the import qualifies for a SIMS exemption: re-import of steel for packaging purposes only and DTA-SEZ-DTA movements (with or without value addition) are exempt from SIMS registration. Document the exemption basis clearly at the bill of entry to pre-empt customs queries.
DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is allowing the 75-day validity window to lapse between registration and actual vessel arrival — particularly when shipment schedules slip. Because the registration cannot be obtained earlier than 60 days before expected arrival, importers who file speculatively and then face cargo delays find their registration expired on arrival, requiring a fresh application and a fresh ₹500 fee before customs out-of-charge can be granted.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7202 99 13 require BIS certification?

No, ferro-cobalt falls outside the BIS Quality Control Order regime; no BIS QCO covers this ferro-alloy product family. Import is governed by compulsory registration under the Steel Import Monitoring System administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under policy condition no. 5 of Chapter 72.

How long is the SIMS automatic registration number valid, and when can the application be filed?

The registration number is valid for 75 days from the date of grant; applications may be submitted no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival, per DGFT Notification 28/23 dated 28-08-2023.

Are DTA-to-SEZ and re-import movements exempt from SIMS registration?

Yes. Re-import of steel solely for packaging purposes and DTA-SEZ-DTA transfers — whether or not value addition occurs — are exempt from SIMS registration per DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022.

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