Puddled bars and pilings

Iron and non-alloy steel puddled bars and pilings

SIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 7206 90 11 (Puddled bars and pilings) 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 of the ITC (HS) Schedule. The SIMS automatic registration number, obtained by paying a registration fee of ₹500, remains valid for 75 days from issuance.

What this is

HSN code

7206 90 11

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 import consignment in the SIMS online portal and obtain an automatic registration number by paying the ₹500 registration fee. Applications may be submitted no earlier than 60 days 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, ITC (HS)
2
Confirm that the consignment is not an exempt category before filing the bill of entry. Re-imports of steel for packaging purposes and DTA-to-SEZ movements (with or without value addition) are not covered under SIMS per DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20; document the exemption basis in the import file.
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 submitting the SIMS registration too close to the vessel's estimated arrival date and allowing the 75-day validity to lapse before the bill of entry is filed — both scenarios result in customs detention and necessitate a fresh registration cycle. Note also that the earlier 15-day minimum advance-registration requirement has been abolished; however, the 60-day outer window remains operative, and applications outside that window are not accepted by the SIMS portal.

Need a regulatory steer on this product?

Speak to a regulatory counsel about your specific HSN, IS, and supplier situation.

Speak to an Expert

Frequently asked

Does HSN 7206 90 11 require BIS certification?

No. No BIS Quality Control Order covers puddled bars and pilings under this tariff line. Import is governed by compulsory registration under the Steel Import Monitoring System administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, pursuant to Policy Condition No. 5 of Chapter 72 of the ITC (HS) Schedule.

What is the validity period of the SIMS registration number, and when can the application be submitted?

The automatic SIMS registration number is valid for 75 days from issuance, and an application may be submitted no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival of the consignment, per DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023.

Are DTA-to-SEZ steel movements and re-imports for packaging exempt from SIMS registration?

Yes. Re-imports of steel for packaging purposes are excluded from SIMS because the goods are not primarily imported for value addition; DTA-to-SEZ transfers and subsequent re-imports — whether with or without value addition — are similarly exempt 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.