Powered from an external source of electricity

Rail locomotives powered from external electricity source

SIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 8601 10 00 (Rail locomotives powered from an external source of electricity) is subject to compulsory advance registration under the Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS), as mandated by Policy Condition No. 2 of Chapter 86 and DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) administers the SIMS registration framework, and the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) applies a classification overlay for dual-mode road-rail vehicles.

What this is

HSN code

8601 10 00

Chapter

86 · Railway or tramway locomotives, rolling-stock and parts thereof; railway or tramway track fixtures and fittings

Primary regulator

SIMS · ITC (HS) Policy Condition No. 2, Chapter 86; DGFT Notification 33/2015-20

Customs documentation

SIMS automatic registration number from DGFT
Registration fee payment receipt from SIMS
Bill of entry classification declaration to 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 the import consignment on the SIMS online portal to obtain an automatic registration number, paying the prescribed fee of ₹500. Applications may be submitted no earlier than the 60th day before the expected date of arrival; the registration number remains 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 of Chapter 86
2
Confirm the locomotive is not a dual-mode road-rail vehicle before classifying under Chapter 86. Vehicles capable of travelling on both road and rail are classifiable under Chapter 87 and fall outside this tariff line; misclassification attracts customs enforcement under the Customs Act, 1962.
CBIC Circular 14/2012-Cus dated 11-06-2012
3
Verify whether the SIMS exemption applies: re-import of steel goods for packaging only, or DTA-to-SEZ-to-DTA movements without value addition, do not require SIMS registration. Document the basis for the exemption claim at the bill of entry to satisfy the proper officer.
DGFT Policy Circular No. 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 filing the bill of entry without a valid SIMS registration number — either because the registration was applied for too close to the arrival date, or because the 75-day validity lapsed before the vessel arrived. The minimum 15-day advance-registration requirement has been abolished, but the 75-day validity window is absolute; an expired registration number will not satisfy the SIMS overlay and the consignment will be detained pending fresh registration.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8601 10 00 require BIS certification?

No. No BIS Quality Control Order covers rail locomotives; this product family falls outside the BIS scheme entirely. Import is governed by compulsory SIMS registration under DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 and Policy Condition No. 2 of Chapter 86, administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

How early can a SIMS registration application be submitted, and how long does the registration remain valid?

An application may be submitted from the 60th day before the expected arrival date of the consignment; the automatic registration number granted is valid for 75 days per DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023.

Are SEZ-to-DTA imports of this tariff line exempt from SIMS registration?

Yes. Per DGFT Policy Circular No. 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022, DTA-to-SEZ-to-DTA movements — whether with or without value addition — are exempt from SIMS registration, as are re-imports of steel goods for packaging purposes only.

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