Grinding media balls and cylpebs

Grinding media balls and cylpebs of iron or steel

SIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 7326 90 50 (Grinding media balls and cylpebs) 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 dated 28-09-2020. Importers must obtain an automatic SIMS registration number before the consignment's expected date of arrival, with registration remaining valid for 75 days.

What this is

HSN code

7326 90 50

Chapter

73 · Articles of iron or steel

Primary regulator

SIMS · DGFT policy condition no. 2, 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 the import online under the Steel Import Monitoring System at any time up to 60 days before the expected date of arrival of the consignment. Pay the registration fee of ₹500 to obtain the automatic SIMS registration number, which is valid for 75 days from the date of grant.
DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023 · DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · Policy condition no. 2 of Chapter 73
2
Ensure the SIMS registration number is quoted on the bill of entry filed at customs. The minimum 15-day advance-registration requirement has been abolished; registration may now be submitted at any point within the 60-day window preceding expected arrival.
DGFT Notification 19/2015-20 dated 07-07-2022 · DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is failing to account for the 75-day validity window of the SIMS registration number: if the vessel arrival is delayed beyond that window, the registration lapses and a fresh application with a new ₹500 fee is required before out-of-charge can be granted. Additionally, importers returning grinding media from a Special Economic Zone into the Domestic Tariff Area — whether with or without value addition — are exempt from SIMS, as is re-import of steel goods used solely for packaging; both carve-outs must be documented and declared at the bill of entry to avoid detention.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7326 90 50 require BIS certification?

No, grinding media balls and cylpebs 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 no. 2 of Chapter 73 and DGFT Notification 33/2015-20.

How far in advance must the SIMS registration be applied for, and how long does it remain valid?

Registration may be applied for up to 60 days before the expected date of arrival; the automatic registration number granted is valid for 75 days, per DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023. The earlier requirement of a minimum 15-day advance registration has been abolished.

Are re-imports of grinding media from SEZ units exempt from SIMS registration?

Yes. Per DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022, both DTA-to-SEZ goods re-imported into the DTA without value addition and those re-imported with value addition are exempt from SIMS; re-import of steel solely for packaging purposes is similarly exempt.

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