Ferrous products obtained by direct reduction of iron ore

Spongy ferrous products by direct reduction of iron ore

SIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 7203 10 00 (Ferrous products obtained by direct reduction of iron ore) 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 of the ITC (HS). The SIMS automatic registration number, obtained by paying a fee of ₹500, is valid for 75 days from grant and must be secured before the consignment's expected date of arrival.

What this is

HSN code

7203 10 00

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

Primary regulator

SIMS · ITC (HS) Policy Condition 5, Chapter 72 (Steel Import Monitoring System)

Customs documentation

SIMS registration number from DGFT
Import policy compliance from DGFT
Registration fee receipt from SIMS portal

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 advance in the SIMS online portal and obtain an automatic SIMS registration number by paying the prescribed fee of ₹500. Registration may be submitted no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival; the 15-day advance minimum has been abolished per DGFT Notification 19/2015-20 dated 07-07-2022.
Policy Condition 5, Chapter 72, ITC (HS) · DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 19/2015-20 dated 07-07-2022 · DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023
2
Ensure the SIMS registration number is valid at the time of arrival — each registration is valid for 75 days from the date of grant. File the bill of entry within the validity window; expiry of the registration before out-of-charge requires a fresh registration application.
DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023 · DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020
3
Confirm whether the import falls within a SIMS exemption: re-imports of steel used solely for packaging (not for value addition) and DTA-SEZ-DTA movements (with or without value addition) are exempt from SIMS registration. Document the exemption basis at the bill of entry stage to pre-empt a customs query.
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 SIMS registration to expire before the vessel arrives — a 75-day validity window sounds generous but is eroded by shipping delays, port congestion, and transshipment. A lapsed registration has no grace period: the consignment is held at the port of entry pending a fresh registration, and demurrage and ground rent accrue from the date of vessel arrival. Apply for SIMS registration at the earliest permitted point — up to 60 days before expected arrival — rather than treating it as a formality at the time of filing.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7203 10 00 require BIS certification?

No. No BIS Quality Control Order covers ferrous products obtained by direct reduction of iron ore. The operative framework is the Steel Import Monitoring System administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under Policy Condition 5 of Chapter 72 of the ITC (HS).

Is there a minimum lead time for applying for a SIMS registration number?

There is no longer a mandatory minimum lead time — the 15-day advance requirement was abolished by DGFT Notification 19/2015-20 dated 07-07-2022. Importers may apply up to 60 days before the expected date of arrival, and the registration number remains valid for 75 days from grant.

Are DTA-to-SEZ-to-DTA transfers of this tariff line exempt from SIMS registration?

Yes. Per DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022, DTA-SEZ-DTA movements are exempt from SIMS registration whether or not value addition has occurred; similarly, re-imports of steel used solely for packaging purposes are excluded from the SIMS regime.

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