Self-discharging vans and wagons, other than those of sub-heading 8606 10

Self-discharging railway or tramway goods wagons (non-self-propelled)

SIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 8606 30 00 (Self-discharging vans and wagons) is subject to compulsory advance registration under the Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) pursuant to Policy Condition 2 of Chapter 86 and DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) administers the ITC (HS) policy overlay, and the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) classification guidance for dual-mode road-rail vehicles applies where the vehicle is capable of travel on both road and rail.

What this is

HSN code

8606 30 00

Chapter

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

Primary regulator

SIMS · Steel Import Monitoring System, Policy Condition 2 of Chapter 86

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
Register on the SIMS online portal not earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival of the consignment, paying the registration fee of ₹500 and submitting advance import information. The automatic SIMS registration number issued is valid for 75 days; the former minimum 15-day advance-registration requirement 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 · Policy Condition 2 of Chapter 86
2
Confirm the goods are not re-imports of steel used solely for packaging purposes, and are not DTA-SEZ-DTA movements without value addition — both categories are exempt from SIMS registration per the DGFT clarification. If the goods qualify for an exemption, document the basis at the bill of entry.
DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022
3
Verify at the bill-of-entry stage that the goods are classifiable under Chapter 86 and not Chapter 87. Dual-mode vehicles capable of travel on both road and rail are classifiable under Chapter 87 per CBIC Circular 14/2012-Cus dated 11-06-2012; misclassification under Chapter 86 triggers re-assessment and potential confiscation.
CBIC Circular 14/2012-Cus dated 11-06-2012

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is applying for SIMS registration too close to the vessel arrival date, only to discover the 75-day validity has lapsed by the time the bill of entry is filed — or, conversely, applying more than 60 days before arrival when the portal rejects the application as premature. A second recurrent trap is misclassifying dual-mode road-rail wagons under Chapter 86 when CBIC Circular 14/2012-Cus mandates Chapter 87 classification, which carries a different duty structure and nullifies the Chapter 86 SIMS compliance entirely.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8606 30 00 require BIS certification?

No, self-discharging railway wagons are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by compulsory Steel Import Monitoring System registration under Policy Condition 2 of Chapter 86 and DGFT Notification 33/2015-20, with CBIC classification oversight.

How long is a SIMS registration number valid, and when can I apply?

The automatic SIMS registration number is valid for 75 days from issuance. Applications may be submitted up to 60 days before the expected date of arrival; the former 15-day minimum advance-registration requirement has been abolished per DGFT Notification 19/2015-20 dated 07-07-2022.

Are there any categories of steel-content imports under this heading that are exempt from SIMS registration?

Yes. Re-imports of steel used solely for packaging purposes and DTA-SEZ-DTA movements of steel items — whether with or without value addition — are exempt from SIMS registration per DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022; the exemption basis must be documented at the bill of entry.

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