Other traffic control equipment for roads or inland waterways including automatic traffic control equipment for use at ports and airports

Traffic control equipment for roads, waterways, ports, airports

SIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 8608 00 40 (Other traffic control equipment for roads or inland waterways) is subject to compulsory 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. Importers must obtain an automatic SIMS registration number in advance of the consignment's arrival by paying a registration fee of ₹500, with the registration remaining valid for 75 days.

What this is

HSN code

8608 00 40

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 of Chapter 86; DGFT Notification 33/2015-20

Customs documentation

SIMS registration number from DGFT
Policy Condition 2 declaration to CBIC
Import 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 ₹500 fee. Applications may be filed no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival; the registration number is valid for 75 days from grant.
DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023 · Policy Condition 2 of Chapter 86
2
Note that the earlier requirement of minimum 15 days advance registration before the expected date of arrival has been abolished. Ensure the SIMS registration number is current at the time the bill of entry is filed; an expired registration number invalidates SIMS compliance and will prevent customs out-of-charge.
DGFT Notification 19/2015-20 dated 07-07-2022

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is assuming that SIMS registration is a one-time formality rather than a consignment-specific obligation with a 75-day validity window. A registration number obtained for one shipment does not carry over to the next; importers who file a second bill of entry against an expired number face detention at port until a fresh registration is obtained. Separately, re-imports of steel for packaging purposes and DTA-to-SEZ-to-DTA movements are carved out of SIMS entirely — misapplying SIMS to these flows wastes registration fees and can trigger unnecessary customs queries.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8608 00 40 require BIS certification?

No. No BIS Quality Control Order covers this product family; import of traffic control equipment for roads, waterways, ports and airports under this tariff line is governed by the Steel Import Monitoring System administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under Policy Condition 2 of Chapter 86.

How early can an importer apply for SIMS registration, and how long does the registration remain valid?

Registration may be applied for no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival, and the automatic registration number granted remains valid for 75 days per DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023; the former 15-day minimum advance requirement has been abolished.

Are re-imports of steel used for packaging purposes covered under SIMS for this tariff line?

No. Per DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022, re-imports of steel for packaging purposes are excluded from SIMS because the goods are not primarily meant for value addition; DTA-to-SEZ-to-DTA movements, whether with or without value addition, are similarly excluded.

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