For railways and tramways

Leaf-springs and leaves for railways and tramways

SIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 7320 10 12 (leaf-springs and leaves therefor for railways and tramways) requires compulsory advance registration under the Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) as a customs overlay, pursuant to 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 the ITC (HS) policy framework governing this tariff line, and re-imports from Special Economic Zones without value addition are exempt from the SIMS registration requirement.

What this is

HSN code

7320 10 12

Chapter

73 · Articles of iron or steel

Primary regulator

SIMS · ITC (HS) policy condition no. 2, Chapter 73 (Steel Import Monitoring System)

Customs documentation

SIMS registration number from DGFT
ITC (HS) policy declaration 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 on the Steel Import Monitoring System online portal and obtain an automatic SIMS registration number by paying the prescribed fee of ₹500. Registration may be submitted no earlier than the 60th day before the expected date of arrival; the registration number is valid for 75 days from grant.
DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023 · DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · Policy condition no. 2, Chapter 73
2
Present the SIMS automatic registration number at the bill-of-entry stage. Confirm that the consignment does not fall within the exempt categories — re-import of steel for packaging purposes, or import into the Domestic Tariff Area from an SEZ with or without value addition — before filing.
DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022 · DGFT Notification 19/2015-20 dated 07-07-2022

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is miscalculating the registration window and arriving at the port of entry without a valid SIMS number. The automatic registration is valid for only 75 days and cannot be obtained earlier than 60 days before arrival; a consignment presented with an expired or absent SIMS registration number is detained at port pending a fresh application, accruing demurrage and ground rent. The minimum 15-day advance-registration requirement has been abolished, so last-minute registration is permissible — but the 75-day validity ceiling remains binding.

Need a regulatory steer on this product?

Speak to a regulatory counsel about your specific HSN, IS, and supplier situation.

Speak to an Expert

Frequently asked

Does HSN 7320 10 12 require BIS certification?

No. No BIS Quality Control Order covers leaf-springs for railways and tramways under this tariff line. 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, DGFT Notification 33/2015-20.

What is the validity period of the SIMS registration number, and when can the application be filed?

The automatic SIMS registration number is valid for 75 days from grant; the application may be filed not earlier than the 60th day before the expected arrival date, per DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023.

Are re-imports from SEZs or goods imported for repackaging exempt from SIMS registration?

Yes. Steel re-imported for packaging purposes is excluded because it is not primarily meant for value addition, and imports from SEZs into the Domestic Tariff Area — whether with or without value addition — are also 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.