RAILWAY OR TRAMWAY PASSENGER COACHES, NOT SELF-PROPELLED; LUGGAGE VANS, POST OFFICE COACHES AND OTHER SPECIAL PURPOSE RAILWAY OR TRAMWAY COACHES, NOT SELF-PROPELLED (EXCLUDING THOSE OF HEADING 8604)

Railway or tramway passenger coaches, not self-propelled

SIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 8605 00 00 (railway or tramway passenger coaches, not self-propelled) 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 2 of Chapter 86 and DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020. The automatic SIMS registration number, obtained by paying a fee of ₹500, is valid for 75 days from grant.

What this is

HSN code

8605 00 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 2, Chapter 86 — DGFT Notification 33/2015-20

Customs documentation

SIMS registration number from DGFT
ITC (HS) policy compliance from DGFT
Chapter 86 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
Apply for SIMS registration in the DGFT online portal no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival of the import consignment. Pay the registration fee of ₹500 to obtain the automatic SIMS registration number, which is valid for 75 days. The prior requirement of a minimum 15-day advance registration window has been abolished.
DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023 · DGFT Notification 19/2015-20 dated 07-07-2022
2
Confirm the consignment is correctly classified under Chapter 86 before filing the bill of entry. Dual-mode vehicles capable of travelling on both road and rail are classifiable under Chapter 87, not Chapter 86, and SIMS registration under Chapter 86 will not cover such goods.
CBIC Circular 14/2012-Cus dated 11-06-2012
3
Where goods involve a DTA-to-SEZ movement or re-import for packaging purposes, confirm whether the SIMS obligation is triggered. Re-import of steel goods solely for packaging (not value addition) and DTA-SEZ-DTA movements — whether with or without value addition — are excluded from the SIMS registration requirement.
DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is allowing the 75-day validity of the SIMS registration number to expire before the consignment arrives — triggering a lapsed-registration deficiency at the bill of entry and consequent detention. Apply no earlier than 60 days before the expected arrival date and coordinate that window tightly with the vessel schedule; a replacement registration requires a fresh fee payment and fresh 75-day clock, and there is no grace period for expired numbers.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8605 00 00 require BIS certification?

No. No BIS Quality Control Order covers railway or tramway passenger coaches under this tariff line. Import is governed by the Steel Import Monitoring System registration requirement under DGFT Policy Condition 2 of Chapter 86 and DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020.

What is the validity period of the SIMS registration number and when can the application be filed?

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

Are DTA-to-SEZ-to-DTA movements of rolling-stock steel components exempt from SIMS registration?

Yes. Per DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022, both DTA-to-SEZ-to-DTA movements — whether with or without value addition — and re-imports of steel goods solely for packaging purposes are excluded from the SIMS registration requirement.

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