Of alloy steel

Granules and powders of alloy steel

SIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 7205 21 00 (Of alloy steel) 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). Importers must obtain an automatic SIMS registration number by paying a fee of ₹500, with the number remaining valid for 75 days from grant.

What this is

HSN code

7205 21 00

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 condition compliance
Bill of entry with SIMS reference

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
Apply for SIMS advance registration through the DGFT online portal not earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival of the import consignment. Pay the registration fee of ₹500 to obtain the automatic registration number, which is valid for 75 days. The earlier minimum 15-day advance registration requirement has been abolished.
DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023 · DGFT Notification 19/2015-20 dated 07-07-2022 · Policy condition no. 5 of Chapter 72 of the ITC (HS)
2
Verify whether the consignment qualifies for a SIMS exemption before registration. Re-imports of alloy steel granules or powders solely for packaging purposes are exempt, as are DTA-to-SEZ and SEZ-to-DTA movements whether or not value addition has occurred.
DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · 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 of the SIMS registration number to lapse between grant and vessel arrival — particularly where shipping schedules slip. A registration number that expires before the consignment reaches the port of import requires a fresh application and a fresh ₹500 fee; there is no provision for extension, and filing a bill of entry against an expired registration number triggers SIMS non-compliance enforcement under the ITC (HS) policy.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7205 21 00 require BIS certification?

No, alloy steel granules and powders are not within the BIS Quality Control Order regime. Import is governed by the Steel Import Monitoring System administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under policy condition no. 5 of Chapter 72 of the ITC (HS), with compulsory advance SIMS registration as the operative requirement.

Can SIMS registration be applied for on the same day the consignment is expected to arrive?

No. The application window opens no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival, per DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023; the automatic registration number granted is valid for 75 days, so timing the application to the shipment schedule is essential to avoid expiry before arrival.

Are DTA-to-SEZ and SEZ-to-DTA movements of alloy steel granules exempt from SIMS registration?

Yes. Per DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022, both movements — whether or not value addition has occurred — are exempt from SIMS registration, as is re-importation of steel items solely for packaging purposes.

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