Manufactures of stainless steel

Manufactures of stainless steel, other iron or steel articles

SIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 7326 90 60 (Manufactures of stainless steel) requires compulsory advance registration under the Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) per Policy Condition 2 of Chapter 73 and DGFT Notification 33/2015-20. The importer must obtain an automatic SIMS registration number by paying a fee of ₹500, valid for 75 days from grant, before the consignment arrives.

What this is

HSN code

7326 90 60

Chapter

73 · Articles of iron or steel

Primary regulator

SIMS · ITC (HS) Policy Condition 2 of Chapter 73; DGFT Notification 33/2015-20

Customs documentation

SIMS registration number from DGFT
Advance registration declaration to CBIC
Bill of entry from CBIC

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

SIMSSIMS·Steel Import Monitoring System

Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs.

Compliance steps

1
Register on the SIMS online portal and obtain the automatic SIMS registration number before the consignment's expected date of arrival. Apply no earlier than 60 days before the expected arrival date; the registration number remains valid for 75 days. The registration fee is ₹500.
DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023 · DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · Policy Condition 2 of Chapter 73
2
Confirm applicability of SIMS to the specific import before registration. Re-importation of steel articles for packaging purposes only, and DTA-SEZ-DTA transfers (with or without value addition), are exempt from SIMS registration under DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20.
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 treating SIMS as a formality and applying too late or at the wrong HSN. The 60-day advance window is a ceiling, not a floor — registration can be made at any time up to the day of arrival, but the 75-day validity means late registration risks expiry before customs out-of-charge. Additionally, importers misclassifying octagonal steel columns for lamp posts under 7326 90 60 expose consignments to reclassification under 7308 90 90 per CBIC Circular 17/2013-Cus dated 11-04-2013, triggering a fresh SIMS registration obligation under the correct heading.

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 7326 90 60 require BIS certification?

No, manufactures of stainless steel under this tariff line are not subject to any BIS Quality Control Order. Import compliance is governed by the Steel Import Monitoring System administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under Policy Condition 2 of Chapter 73 and DGFT Notification 33/2015-20.

How long does the SIMS registration number remain valid, and when can the importer apply?

The automatic SIMS registration number is valid for 75 days from the date of grant; the importer may apply no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival of the consignment, per DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023.

Are DTA-SEZ transfers and re-imports for packaging exempt from SIMS registration?

Yes. Per DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022, re-imports of steel items for packaging purposes only, and DTA-SEZ-DTA transfers whether or not value addition has occurred, are explicitly excluded from the SIMS registration requirement.

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