Staples other than in strips, and drawing pins

Iron or steel staples, drawing pins (loose, non-strip)

SIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 7317 00 91 (Staples other than in strips, and drawing pins) requires compulsory advance registration under the Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) per Policy Condition No. 2 of Chapter 73 and DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) administers SIMS, under which importers must obtain an automatic registration number by submitting advance information online and paying a registration fee of ₹500. The registration number is valid for 75 days from grant.

What this is

HSN code

7317 00 91

Chapter

73 · Articles of iron or steel

Primary regulator

SIMS · DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 · Policy Condition No. 2, Chapter 73

Customs documentation

SIMS registration number from DGFT
Registration fee receipt from DGFT
ITC (HS) policy compliance declaration

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 an automatic registration number before the consignment's expected arrival. The application may be filed no earlier than the 60th day before the expected date of arrival; pay the registration fee of ₹500 at the time of application.
DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023 · Policy Condition No. 2 of Chapter 73
2
Ensure the SIMS automatic registration number is valid on the date of the bill of entry — validity is 75 days from grant. Present the registration number at customs; a lapsed or absent registration number prevents out-of-charge and may attract Restricted-import enforcement under the ITC (HS) policy.
DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023 · DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is assuming that re-imports or SEZ-origin imports are automatically exempt from SIMS registration. The carve-outs are narrow: re-import of steel for packaging purposes is excluded only because no value addition occurs, and SEZ-to-DTA transfers — whether with or without value addition — are also excluded per DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022. Any other import of these iron or steel articles, including standard commercial purchase orders, requires a current SIMS registration number before the bill of entry is filed.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7317 00 91 require BIS certification?

No, no BIS Quality Control Order covers staples or drawing pins under this tariff line. Import is governed by the Steel Import Monitoring System administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 and Policy Condition No. 2 of Chapter 73.

How far in advance must the SIMS registration application be filed, and how long does the registration remain valid?

The application may be filed up to 60 days before the expected date of arrival; the minimum 15-day advance filing requirement was abolished by DGFT Notification 19/2015-20 dated 07-07-2022. The automatic registration number granted remains valid for 75 days.

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

Yes, but only where the goods are re-imported solely for packaging purposes and not for value addition, per DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022; similarly, SEZ-to-DTA transfers of steel items are excluded from SIMS regardless of whether value addition occurred.

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