Trunks and cases

Iron or steel trunks, cases, boxes (capacity up to 300 L)

SIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 7310 29 20 (Trunks and cases) 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 2 of Chapter 73, as notified by DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020. Importers must obtain an automatic SIMS registration number before the consignment arrives, with registration valid for 75 days from the date of grant.

What this is

HSN code

7310 29 20

Chapter

73 · Articles of iron or steel

Primary regulator

SIMS · DGFT Policy Condition 2 of Chapter 73; 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 in the Steel Import Monitoring System online portal and obtain an automatic SIMS registration number by paying the ₹500 registration fee. Applications may be submitted no earlier than the 60th day before the expected date of arrival; the registration number remains valid for 75 days.
DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 28/23 dated 28-08-2023 · Policy Condition 2 of Chapter 73
2
Confirm whether the consignment falls within a recognised SIMS carve-out before filing. Re-import of iron or steel goods used solely for packaging purposes is excluded from SIMS. Steel items moved between the Domestic Tariff Area and a Special Economic Zone — whether with or without value addition — are also excluded from 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 misreading the abolition of the 15-day minimum advance-registration window as abolition of SIMS registration itself. SIMS registration remains compulsory; only the 15-day minimum lead time was removed by DGFT Notification 19/2015-20 dated 07-07-2022. A consignment arriving without a current SIMS registration number will be detained at port, attracting demurrage and ground rent until the registration is rectified — which cannot happen retroactively once the vessel has berthed.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7310 29 20 require BIS certification?

No, iron or steel trunks and cases of this tariff line are 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 2 of Chapter 73.

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

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

Are re-imports of steel packaging containers exempt from SIMS registration?

Yes. Per DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022, re-import of steel goods used solely for packaging purposes is excluded from SIMS, as such goods are not primarily intended for value addition; similarly, DTA-SEZ-DTA movements — with or without value addition — do not require SIMS registration.

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