Other
Iron or steel nails, tacks, staples and similar fastening articles
HSN 7317 00 19 (iron or steel nails, tacks, drawing pins, corrugated nails, staples and similar articles) requires 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 dated 28-09-2020. The importer must obtain an automatic SIMS registration number before the consignment arrives, with validity limited to 75 days from grant.
- SIMS registration number from DGFT
- Registration fee receipt from SIMS portal
- ITC (HS) policy compliance from DGFT
Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Directorate General of Foreign Trade.
- 1Register on the SIMS online portal and obtain an automatic registration number by paying the registration fee of ₹500. Apply no earlier than the 60th day before the expected date of arrival; the registration number remains valid for 75 days from grant and must be current at the time of bill of entry filing.DGFT Notification 28/2023-24 dated 28-08-2023 · DGFT Notification 19/2015-20 dated 07-07-2022 · Policy Condition No. 2 of Chapter 73
- 2Quote the SIMS automatic registration number on the bill of entry. Note that the former requirement of a minimum 15-day advance registration window before the expected date of arrival has been abolished; the 60-day ceiling on early application remains in force.DGFT Notification 19/2015-20 dated 07-07-2022 · DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020
- 3Confirm whether the transaction qualifies for a SIMS exemption: re-imports of steel items used solely for packaging purposes and DTA-to-SEZ-to-DTA movements (with or without value addition) are excluded from SIMS registration requirements under DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022.DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022
The most common error on this tariff line is misreading the 75-day validity window: importers who apply at the earliest permitted moment (day 60 before arrival) and then face vessel delays risk expiry of the registration number before out-of-charge. A lapsed SIMS registration number at the bill-of-entry stage triggers detention of the consignment until a fresh registration is obtained, incurring demurrage and ground rent. Build a buffer of at least ten days between registration grant and expected arrival when vessel scheduling is uncertain.