Ferro-zirconium

Ferro-zirconium, a ferro-alloy of iron and zirconium

SIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 7202 99 15 (Ferro-zirconium) is subject to compulsory advance registration under the Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), pursuant to policy condition no. 5 of Chapter 72 and DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020. Importers must obtain an automatic registration number online by paying a registration fee of ₹500, with registration valid for 75 days from grant.

What this is

HSN code

7202 99 15

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
Online advance registration receipt from SIMS
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 impending consignment on the SIMS online portal and obtain the automatic registration number before the consignment arrives. Registration may be applied for no earlier than the 60th day before the expected date of arrival; the registration number remains valid for 75 days.
DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023 · DGFT Notification 19/2015-20 dated 07-07-2022 · Policy condition no. 5 of Chapter 72
2
Confirm applicability before filing: re-imports of ferro-zirconium for packaging purposes and DTA-to-SEZ movements (with or without value addition) are exempt from SIMS registration. Document the applicable exemption basis at the bill of entry to avoid a mismatch during customs verification.
DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022 · DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is treating the 75-day SIMS registration validity as a buffer and applying too close to the arrival date. The earlier minimum 15-day advance requirement has been abolished, but the 60-day maximum look-ahead window still applies — an application filed more than 60 days before expected arrival is rejected, leaving the importer without a valid registration number at the bill-of-entry stage and triggering consignment detention and demurrage.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7202 99 15 require BIS certification?

No, no BIS Quality Control Order covers ferro-zirconium or this ferro-alloy product family. Import is governed solely by the Steel Import Monitoring System registration requirement administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under policy condition no. 5 of Chapter 72.

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

The automatic SIMS registration number is valid for 75 days from the date of grant; the application window opens no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival of the import consignment, per DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023.

Are DTA-to-SEZ re-imports of ferro-zirconium exempt from SIMS registration?

Yes. Both DTA-to-SEZ movements imported back into the DTA — whether with or without value addition — and re-imports for packaging purposes are exempt from SIMS registration under DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022.

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