Other

Iron and non-alloy steel ingots and other primary forms

SIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 7206 90 19 (iron and non-alloy steel in primary forms, other) is subject to compulsory prior registration under the Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), per policy condition no. 5 of Chapter 72 and DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020. Importers must obtain an automatic SIMS registration number before the consignment arrives, paying a registration fee of ₹500.

What this is

HSN code

7206 90 19

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

Primary regulator

SIMS · ITC (HS) policy condition no. 5 of Chapter 72, DGFT Notification 33/2015-20

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 on the SIMS online portal and obtain an automatic registration number no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival of the consignment. The registration fee is ₹500 and the registration number remains valid for 75 days from the date of grant.
DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023 · Policy condition no. 5 of Chapter 72
2
Note that the erstwhile minimum 15-day advance registration requirement has been abolished; registration may be obtained at any point within the 60-day pre-arrival window. Ensure the SIMS registration number is quoted on the bill of entry and that the number has not lapsed before the consignment arrives.
DGFT Notification 19/2015-20 dated 07-07-2022
3
Confirm whether a SIMS exemption applies: re-importation of steel solely for packaging purposes, or movement of steel between the Domestic Tariff Area and an SEZ (with or without value addition), is not covered by the SIMS registration requirement.
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 SIMS validity window to lapse between registration and actual vessel arrival — a lapsed number means the consignment cannot be cleared at the bill-of-entry stage, resulting in detention and accruing demurrage until a fresh registration is obtained. Because SIMS registration can only be initiated within 60 days of expected arrival, premature registration on a delayed shipment creates the same problem in reverse; align the registration date closely with the confirmed estimated time of arrival.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7206 90 19 require BIS certification?

No, no BIS Quality Control Order covers iron and non-alloy steel primary forms under this tariff line. 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 and DGFT Notification 33/2015-20.

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

The automatic SIMS registration number is valid for 75 days from the date of grant; the 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.

Is SIMS registration required for steel re-imported from an SEZ or for steel re-imported solely for packaging?

No. Per DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022, re-importation of steel for packaging purposes and DTA-SEZ-DTA movements (with or without value addition) are both explicitly excluded from the SIMS registration requirement.

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