Axle boxes (lubricating or grease box)

Axle boxes (lubricating or grease boxes) for railway rolling-stock

SIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 8607 19 30 (Axle boxes, lubricating or grease box) is subject to compulsory registration under the Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under Policy Condition no. 2 of Chapter 86, read with DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020. Importers must obtain an automatic SIMS registration number before the consignment arrives, with a registration fee of ₹500 and a validity window of 75 days.

What this is

HSN code

8607 19 30

Chapter

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

Primary regulator

SIMS · DGFT ITC (HS) Policy Condition no. 2, Chapter 86

Customs documentation

SIMS registration number from DGFT
Policy Condition no. 2 declaration to CBIC
Import documentation from DGFT

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

SIMSSIMS·Steel Import Monitoring System

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

Compliance steps

1
Register under SIMS by submitting advance import information through the DGFT online system and paying the registration fee of ₹500. Apply for registration no earlier than the 60th day before the expected date of arrival; the automatic registration number is valid for 75 days from the date of grant.
DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023 · Policy Condition no. 2 of Chapter 86
2
Ensure the SIMS registration number is available at the bill-of-entry stage. Note that the earlier requirement of a minimum 15-day advance registration window before expected arrival has been abolished; only the 60-day outer limit and the 75-day validity window remain operative.
DGFT Notification 19/2015-20 dated 07-07-2022 · DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023

A word of counsel

The most frequent error on this tariff line is failing to account for the 75-day validity window of the SIMS registration number against the vessel's actual arrival date. A registration obtained too early expires before the consignment clears customs, and no out-of-charge can be granted on an expired SIMS number — the importer must then re-register, incurring fresh fees and potential demurrage and ground rent. DTA-to-SEZ-to-DTA movements and re-imports for packaging purposes are exempt from SIMS registration under DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20, but this carve-out must be documented at the bill-of-entry stage, not invoked retrospectively.

Need a regulatory steer on this product?

Speak to a regulatory counsel about your specific HSN, IS, and supplier situation.

Speak to an Expert

Frequently asked

Does HSN 8607 19 30 require BIS certification?

No, axle boxes for railway rolling-stock are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by compulsory SIMS registration under DGFT Policy Condition no. 2 of Chapter 86, with the automatic registration number carrying a validity of 75 days.

How far in advance must the SIMS registration be obtained, and how long does it remain valid?

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

Are re-imports or SEZ-to-DTA movements of these steel items exempt from SIMS registration?

Yes. Re-imports of steel items for packaging purposes and both value-added and non-value-added SEZ-to-DTA movements are exempt from SIMS registration, per DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022; the exemption must be supported by documentary evidence at the bill-of-entry stage.

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