Charge-chrome

Charge-chrome ferro-alloy for steel industry

SIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 7202 99 32 (Charge-chrome) 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 no. 5 of Chapter 72 of the ITC (HS) Schedule. Importers must obtain an automatic SIMS registration number before the consignment arrives, with a registration fee of ₹500 and a validity window of 75 days.

What this is

HSN code

7202 99 32

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

Primary regulator

SIMS · ITC (HS) policy condition no. 5, Chapter 72 (Steel Import Monitoring System)

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 consignment in the Steel Import Monitoring System online portal and obtain an automatic SIMS registration number before the expected date of arrival. Registration may be applied for no earlier than 60 days before the expected arrival date; the registration fee is ₹500 and the registration number remains valid for 75 days.
DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023 · DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · Policy condition no. 5 of Chapter 72, ITC (HS)
2
Quote the SIMS registration number on the bill of entry at the time of customs filing. Note that the earlier requirement of a minimum 15-day advance registration window before expected date of arrival has been abolished and no minimum lead time is currently prescribed.
DGFT Notification 19/2015-20 dated 07-07-2022

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is assuming that DTA-to-SEZ exports subsequently re-imported into the DTA — whether with or without value addition — require a fresh SIMS registration. DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022 explicitly exempts both cases from SIMS registration, as it does for re-imports of steel used solely for packaging purposes. Treating these carve-outs as discretionary rather than operative has led importers to pay unnecessary registration fees and delay clearances.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7202 99 32 require BIS certification?

No, charge-chrome ferro-alloys are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the Steel Import Monitoring System registration requirement under ITC (HS) policy condition no. 5 of Chapter 72, administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

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 grant. An application may be submitted up to 60 days before the expected date of arrival of the consignment, per DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023.

Is SIMS registration required when steel is re-imported from an SEZ into the DTA?

No. DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022 exempts re-imports of steel from SEZ to DTA — with or without value addition — from SIMS registration, as well as re-imports of steel used solely for packaging purposes.

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