Of copper-nickel base alloys (cupro-nickel) or copper-nickel-zinc base alloys (nickel silver)

Copper-nickel and nickel silver plates, sheets and strip

NIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 7409 40 00 (copper-nickel base alloy and nickel silver plates, sheets and strip) is subject to compulsory advance registration under the Non-Ferrous Metals Import Monitoring System (NIMS) administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under DGFT Notification 61/2015-2020 dated 31-03-2021. The tariff line also falls within the DGFT Tariff Rate Quota framework for copper products under Chapter 74, with DGFT designated as the authority for allocation and monitoring under revised India-Nepal Treaty procedures.

What this is

HSN code

7409 40 00

Chapter

74 · Copper and articles thereof

Primary regulator

NIMS · DGFT Notification 61/2015-2020 (Non-Ferrous Metals Import Monitoring System)

Customs documentation

NFMIMS registration number from NIMS
TRQ allocation certificate from DGFT
ITC (HS) policy compliance 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 in the Non-Ferrous Metals Import Monitoring System online portal before the consignment's arrival, paying a registration fee of ₹500 to obtain an automatic registration number. Registration may be applied for no earlier than the 60th day before the expected date of arrival; the registration number remains valid for 75 days.
DGFT Notification 61/2015-2020 dated 31-03-2021 · S.O. 3759(E) · DGFT Notification 26/2016-20 dated 10-08-2022
2
If importing copper products (Chapter 74 or CTH 8544) under the India-Nepal Treaty Tariff Rate Quota, obtain a TRQ allocation from DGFT as the designated authority. Ensure compliance with all conditions enumerated in paras (i) to (xv) of DGFT Public Notice 17/2023 dated 22-06-2023 and Para 2.92 of the Handbook of Procedures 2023.
DGFT Public Notice 17/2023 dated 22-06-2023 · DGFT Policy Circular 42/2015-2020 dated 27-07-2022

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is filing the bill of entry without a current NFMIMS registration number, either because the advance-registration window was missed or because importers conflate the abolition of the minimum 5-day lead time with an exemption from registration itself. Registration is still compulsory before arrival; only the minimum advance-filing period has been reduced to zero. A consignment that arrives without a valid 75-day registration number faces customs hold pending regularisation.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 7409 40 00 require BIS certification?

No. No BIS Quality Control Order covers copper-nickel or nickel silver plates, sheets and strip under this tariff line. Import is governed by the Non-Ferrous Metals Import Monitoring System compulsory registration under DGFT Notification 61/2015-2020, with the DGFT Tariff Rate Quota overlay for India-Nepal Treaty consignments.

How far in advance must the NFMIMS registration be obtained, and for how long is it valid?

Registration may be applied for up to 60 days before the expected date of arrival and the automatic registration number is valid for 75 days; the former minimum 5-day advance-filing requirement has been abolished per S.O. 3759(E) and DGFT Notification 26/2016-20 dated 10-08-2022.

Does the India-Nepal Treaty TRQ apply to all copper imports under Chapter 74 or only to specific quantities?

DGFT Public Notice 17/2023 dated 22-06-2023 allocates a TRQ of 10,000 MT of copper products under Chapter 74 and CTH 8544 for FY 2023-24, with DGFT as the designated allocation and monitoring authority under Para 2.92 of the Handbook of Procedures 2023.

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