Other

Seamless circular tubes and pipes of iron or non-alloy steel

SIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 7304 39 19 (other seamless circular tubes and pipes of iron or non-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. 2 of Chapter 73, as notified by DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) verifies SIMS registration at the bill-of-entry stage, and the automatic registration number must be obtained before consignment arrival.

What this is

HSN code

7304 39 19

Chapter

73 · Articles of iron or steel

Primary regulator

SIMS · DGFT policy condition no. 2 of Chapter 73; DGFT Notification 33/2015-20

Customs documentation

SIMS automatic registration number from DGFT
Online registration declaration to SIMS
ITC (HS) policy compliance from DGFT

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

SIMSSIMS·Steel Import Monitoring System

Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

Compliance steps

1
Apply for SIMS advance registration online through the DGFT portal no 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 remains valid for 75 days from the date of grant.
DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 28/23 dated 28-08-2023 · Policy condition no. 2 of Chapter 73
2
Confirm that the consignment falls within the SIMS scope before filing the bill of entry. Re-imports of steel for packaging purposes and DTA-to-SEZ movements (with or without value addition) are exempt from SIMS registration; document the exemption basis at the bill-of-entry stage.
DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022 · DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020
3
Verify whether the consignment qualifies for the QCO exemption under MoS Order F.No. S-20011/15/2024-Tech-Part(2) dated 20-11-2025. For bills of lading with a shipped-on-board date on or before 31-03-2026, mandatory QCO compliance for ITC HS codes listed in Annexure I of that order is exempted.
MoS Order F.No. S-20011/15/2024-Tech-Part(2) dated 20-11-2025

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is misreading the abolition of the 15-day minimum advance-registration window as an abolition of SIMS registration altogether. SIMS registration remains compulsory; only the mandatory lead time has been removed. Importers who allow the 75-day validity of the registration number to lapse before the vessel arrives must re-apply and pay the fee again — a consignment presented at customs without a current registration number is detained pending regularisation, attracting demurrage and ground rent.

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 7304 39 19 require BIS certification?

No, no BIS Quality Control Order covers this residual seamless circular pipe category. Import is governed by the compulsory Steel Import Monitoring System registration under DGFT policy condition no. 2 of Chapter 73, with CBIC verifying the automatic registration number at the bill of entry.

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

The automatic registration number is valid for 75 days from the date of grant; the application may be filed not earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival, per DGFT Notification 28/23 dated 28-08-2023.

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

Yes. Both DTA-to-SEZ movements imported back into the DTA — whether with or without value addition — are exempt from SIMS registration, as clarified in DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022.

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