Of iron

Large-diameter welded iron tubes and pipes, circular cross-section

SIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 7305 90 91 (large-diameter iron tubes and pipes) is subject to compulsory advance registration under the Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 and DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023. Importers must obtain an automatic registration number before the consignment arrives, and the ITC (HS) policy condition no. 2 of Chapter 73 applies as the operative customs overlay administered by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).

What this is

HSN code

7305 90 91

Chapter

73 · Articles of iron or steel

Primary regulator

SIMS · DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 · ITC (HS) policy condition 2, Chapter 73

Customs documentation

SIMS automatic registration number from DGFT
ITC (HS) policy declaration to CBIC
Registration fee payment record from DGFT

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

SIMSSIMS·Steel Import Monitoring System

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

Compliance steps

1
Apply for SIMS registration through the online portal no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival of the consignment. Pay the registration fee of ₹500; the automatic registration number is valid for 75 days from the date of grant.
DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023 · DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · ITC (HS) policy condition 2, Chapter 73
2
Upload the SIMS automatic registration number and supporting documents in e-Sanchit at the bill of entry stage and declare compliance with ITC (HS) policy condition no. 2 of Chapter 73. Absence of a valid, unexpired SIMS registration number at the bill of entry will result in consignment detention.
DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · CBIC policy overlay, Chapter 73
3
Verify whether the consignment qualifies for a SIMS exemption: re-imports of iron or steel solely for packaging purposes and DTA-SEZ-DTA transactions (with or without value addition) are excluded from SIMS registration per DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022.
DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is misreading the 75-day validity window of the SIMS registration number: the clock begins on the date of grant, not on the date of shipment or arrival. An importer who registers early in the 60-day window may find the registration number expiring before the vessel berths, particularly for long-haul sailings, rendering the import non-compliant at the bill-of-entry stage and exposing the consignment to detention and demurrage while a fresh registration is sought.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7305 90 91 require BIS certification?

No, no BIS Quality Control Order covers large-diameter iron tubes and pipes under this tariff line. Import is governed by compulsory advance registration under the Steel Import Monitoring System administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under DGFT Notification 33/2015-20, with ITC (HS) policy condition no. 2 of Chapter 73 as the operative customs overlay.

Has the 15-day minimum advance registration requirement under SIMS been abolished?

Yes. The requirement of a minimum 15-day advance registration from the expected date of arrival was abolished by DGFT Notification 19/2015-20 dated 07-07-2022; importers may apply up to the 60th day before expected arrival, but the 75-day validity cap on the registration number still applies.

Are DTA-SEZ-DTA transactions or re-imports for packaging exempt from SIMS registration?

Yes. Per DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022, re-imports of steel solely for packaging (not value addition) and both value-added and non-value-added DTA-to-SEZ-to-DTA transactions are excluded from the SIMS registration requirement.

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