Cathodes and sections of cathodes

Refined copper cathodes and cathode sections, unwrought

NIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 7403 11 00 (Cathodes and sections of cathodes) is subject to compulsory advance registration under the Non-Ferrous Metals Import Monitoring System (NFMIMS) administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) pursuant to DGFT Notification 61/2015-2020 dated 31-03-2021. Import is also subject to ITC (HS) policy condition no. 2 to Chapter 74, and a Tariff Rate Quota regime applies to copper products under the revised India-Nepal Treaty allocation framework.

What this is

HSN code

7403 11 00

Chapter

74 · Copper and articles thereof

Primary regulator

NIMS · DGFT Notification 61/2015-2020 (NFMIMS); ITC (HS) policy condition 2, Chapter 74

Customs documentation

NFMIMS registration number from DGFT
ITC (HS) policy condition declaration to CBIC
TRQ allocation certificate from DGFT

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

NIMSNIMS·Non-Ferrous Metal Import Monitoring System

Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

Compliance steps

1
Register the import consignment on the NFMIMS online portal and obtain an automatic registration number by paying a fee of ₹500. Apply not earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival; the registration number remains valid for 75 days. The advance minimum lead-time requirement has been abolished to zero days under S.O. 3759(E).
DGFT Notification 61/2015-2020 dated 31-03-2021 · DGFT Notification 26/2016-20 dated 10-08-2022 · S.O. 3759(E)
2
Confirm compliance with ITC (HS) policy condition no. 2 to Chapter 74 at the bill-of-entry stage. Additionally, verify applicability of the India-Nepal Treaty TRQ allocation under DGFT Public Notice 17/2023 dated 22-06-2023 (paras i to xv); if importing under the 10,000 MT copper-products TRQ for the relevant financial year, a DGFT-issued TRQ allocation is mandatory.
ITC (HS) policy condition 2 to Chapter 74 · DGFT Public Notice 17/2023 dated 22-06-2023 · HBP 2023 para 2.92

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is filing the bill of entry without a valid NFMIMS registration number — treating the system as a post-arrival formality rather than a pre-arrival obligation. The registration must be obtained before consignment arrival; a missing or expired number (valid only 75 days) blocks out-of-charge and triggers detention and demurrage at port. Where the consignment qualifies under the India-Nepal Treaty TRQ, a DGFT TRQ allocation certificate is an additional, independent prerequisite that is separate from the NFMIMS registration.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7403 11 00 require BIS certification?

No. No BIS Quality Control Order covers refined copper cathodes. Import is governed by the Non-Ferrous Metals Import Monitoring System under DGFT Notification 61/2015-2020, with ITC (HS) policy condition no. 2 to Chapter 74 as an additional customs-level overlay.

What is the validity window for an NFMIMS registration number, and when must the application be filed?

The automatic NFMIMS registration number is valid for 75 days from grant, and the application may be filed up to 60 days before the expected date of arrival; the former minimum advance notice of 5 days has been abolished to zero per S.O. 3759(E) and DGFT Notification 26/2016-20 dated 10-08-2022.

When does the India-Nepal Treaty TRQ apply to copper cathode imports?

DGFT is the designated authority for allocating and monitoring the 10,000 MT TRQ for copper products under Chapter 74 and CTH 8544 for each financial year; importers must obtain a DGFT TRQ allocation certificate under DGFT Public Notice 17/2023 dated 22-06-2023 and HBP 2023 para 2.92 before invoking the concessional TRQ rate.

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