Puddled bars and pilings

Iron and non-alloy steel puddled bars and pilings

SIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 7206 90 91 (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) under policy condition 5 of Chapter 72, pursuant to DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020. An automatic SIMS registration number must be obtained online by paying a registration fee of ₹500, and the number remains valid for 75 days from issuance.

What this is

HSN code

7206 90 91

Chapter

72 · Iron and steel

Primary regulator

SIMS · ITC (HS) policy condition 5, Chapter 72 — DGFT Notification 33/2015-20

Customs documentation

SIMS registration number from DGFT
ITC (HS) policy condition declaration to CBIC

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 an automatic SIMS registration number through the online Steel Import Monitoring System portal, paying the ₹500 registration fee. Application may be submitted not earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival of the import consignment; the registration number remains valid for 75 days.
DGFT Notification 28/2023-20 dated 28-08-2023 · DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · policy condition 5, Chapter 72
2
Confirm the consignment falls within the SIMS scope before filing the bill of entry. Re-imports of steel solely for packaging purposes, and transfers of steel between the Domestic Tariff Area and a Special Economic Zone (in either direction, with or without value addition), are expressly excluded from the SIMS registration requirement.
DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022 · DGFT Notification 19/2015-20 dated 07-07-2022

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is misreading the validity window: the SIMS registration number is valid for only 75 days from grant, and an expired number at the time of bill-of-entry filing constitutes a non-compliance under policy condition 5 of Chapter 72, triggering consignment detention. The earlier requirement of a minimum 15-day advance registration has been abolished, but importers who over-apply too early — more than 60 days before expected arrival — will find the number expiring before the vessel berths.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7206 90 91 require BIS certification?

No. No BIS Quality Control Order covers puddled bars and pilings under this tariff line. Import is governed by the Steel Import Monitoring System registration requirement administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under policy condition 5 of Chapter 72 and DGFT Notification 33/2015-20.

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 the date of grant. An importer may apply no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival; the previous 15-day minimum lead requirement was abolished by DGFT Notification 19/2015-20 dated 07-07-2022.

Are SEZ-to-DTA transfers of this steel product exempt from SIMS registration?

Yes. Per DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022, transfers between the Domestic Tariff Area and a Special Economic Zone — whether with or without value addition — do not require SIMS registration; re-imports solely for packaging purposes are similarly excluded.

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