Mechanical equipment, not electrically powered for signalling to, or controlling, road rail or other vehicles, ships or aircraft

Non-electric mechanical signalling equipment for rail, road, ships or aircraft

SIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 8608 00 20 (mechanical signalling and traffic-control equipment, not electrically powered) 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 and DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020. The importer must obtain an automatic SIMS registration number before the consignment arrives at the Indian port.

What this is

HSN code

8608 00 20

Chapter

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

Primary regulator

SIMS · DGFT Policy Condition No. 2 of Chapter 86; DGFT Notification 33/2015-20

Customs documentation

SIMS registration number from DGFT
ITC (HS) policy compliance 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 on the SIMS online portal and obtain an automatic registration number by paying the prescribed fee of ₹500. The application 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 28/2023-24 dated 28-08-2023 · DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · Policy Condition No. 2 of Chapter 86
2
Confirm whether any re-import or SEZ-to-DTA movement carve-out applies before filing the bill of entry. Steel or steel-item imports re-imported solely for packaging (without value addition) and SEZ-to-DTA movements — whether with or without value addition — are exempt from SIMS registration per the DGFT clarification.
DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022

A word of counsel

The most frequent error on this tariff line is applying for SIMS registration too close to vessel arrival. Although the mandatory 15-day advance-registration requirement was abolished by DGFT Notification 19/2015-20 dated 07-07-2022, the registration number is valid for only 75 days from grant, and an application filed after the consignment has already arrived will result in bill-of-entry detention pending regularisation. Apply as early as the 60-day window allows, and verify that the registration is still current if the vessel is delayed.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8608 00 20 require BIS certification?

No. No BIS Quality Control Order covers non-electric mechanical signalling equipment under Chapter 86. Import is governed by the Steel Import Monitoring System administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under Policy Condition No. 2 of Chapter 86 and DGFT Notification 33/2015-20.

How long is the SIMS registration number valid, and when can an importer apply?

The automatic registration number is valid for 75 days from the date of grant. An importer may apply no earlier than the 60th day before the expected date of arrival of the consignment, per DGFT Notification 28/2023-24 dated 28-08-2023.

Are SEZ-to-DTA imports of steel items under this HSN exempt from SIMS registration?

Yes. Per DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022, both SEZ-to-DTA movements without value addition and those with value addition are exempt from SIMS registration; re-imports of steel solely for packaging purposes are similarly exempt.

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