Other

Steel towers and lattice masts, other than galvanised

SIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 7308 20 19 (Other towers and lattice masts of iron or 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, read with DGFT Notification 33/2015-20. Where the goods have end-use in wind-operated electricity generation, prior registration on the Renewable Energy Equipment Import Monitoring System (REEIMS) of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is additionally required under policy condition no. 4 of Chapter 73, effective 1 November 2025.

What this is

HSN code

7308 20 19

Chapter

73 · Articles of iron or steel

Primary regulator

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

Customs documentation

SIMS automatic registration number from DGFT
REEIMS registration from Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
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
Register on the SIMS online portal and obtain the automatic registration number by paying ₹500 before the consignment's expected date of arrival. The application may be submitted no earlier than the 60th day before arrival; the registration number remains valid for 75 days from issuance.
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
Where the steel towers or lattice masts under HSN 7308 20 19 are destined for wind-operated electricity generation, apply for REEIMS registration at least five days in advance for sea or land route shipments (two days for air cargo). Each REEIMS registration is port-specific, valid for three months, carries no registration fee, and requires an end-use declaration; multiple consignments may be processed under one registration.
DGFT Notification 40/25-26 dated 10-10-2025 · Policy condition no. 4 of Chapter 73 (effective 01-11-2025)
3
Note that re-imports of steel for packaging purposes and DTA-to-SEZ transfers (with or without value addition) are exempt from SIMS registration. Confirm exemption eligibility and retain supporting documentation at the bill of entry to demonstrate the carve-out.
DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is overlooking the REEIMS overlay when sourcing structural steel towers for wind-energy projects — importers obtain SIMS registration and assume that satisfies all DGFT policy conditions, not realising that policy condition no. 4 of Chapter 73 imposes a separate, port-specific REEIMS registration with its own advance-application windows (five days for sea/land, two days for air). A consignment arriving at a port not covered by the REEIMS registration is liable to detention at the designated port regardless of a valid SIMS number.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7308 20 19 require BIS certification?

No, this tariff line is not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the Steel Import Monitoring System administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under policy condition no. 2 of Chapter 73, with an additional REEIMS overlay for wind-energy end-use under policy condition no. 4.

How long is the SIMS registration number valid, and when can an importer apply?

The automatic SIMS registration number is valid for 75 days from issuance; application may be submitted no earlier than the 60th day before the expected date of arrival of the consignment, per DGFT Notification 28/23 dated 28-08-2023.

Are re-imports of steel goods and SEZ transfers exempt from SIMS registration?

Yes. Re-imports of steel solely for packaging purposes and transfers between the Domestic Tariff Area and Special Economic Zones — whether with or without value addition — are exempt from SIMS registration 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.