CONTAINERS (INCLUDING CONTAINERS FOR THE TRANSPORT OF FLUIDS) SPECIALLY DESIGNED AND EQUIPPED FOR CARRIAGE BY ONE OR MORE MODES OF TRANSPORT

Intermodal freight containers including fluid-transport containers

SIMS CLEARANCE

HSN 8609 00 00 (Intermodal freight containers) is subject to compulsory advance registration under the Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) pursuant to Policy Condition No. 2 of Chapter 86 and DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020. Registration must be obtained online by paying a fee of ₹500, and the automatic registration number remains valid for 75 days from grant.

What this is

HSN code

8609 00 00

Chapter

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

Primary regulator

SIMS · Policy Condition No. 2 of Chapter 86, ITC (HS); DGFT Notification 33/2015-20

Customs documentation

SIMS registration number from DGFT
Import declaration from DGFT
ITC (HS) policy compliance

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
Apply for SIMS advance registration on the DGFT online portal, paying the ₹500 registration fee, no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival of the consignment. The automatic registration number granted is valid for 75 days and must be cited at the bill of entry.
DGFT Notification 28/2023-24 dated 28-08-2023 · DGFT Notification 19/2015-20 dated 07-07-2022 · Policy Condition No. 2 of Chapter 86, ITC (HS)
2
Verify whether any SIMS exemption applies before filing: re-import of steel or steel items solely for packaging purposes, and DTA-to-SEZ-to-DTA movements (with or without value addition), are excluded from SIMS registration requirements under DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20.
DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022 · DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is applying for SIMS registration too close to the vessel arrival date. Although the prior-minimum-15-day requirement has been abolished per DGFT Notification 19/2015-20, the 75-day validity window is fixed from the date of grant — not from the date of arrival — so a registration obtained before the 60-day window opens is void, while one obtained very late risks expiry before customs out-of-charge if the vessel is delayed.

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 8609 00 00 require BIS certification?

No, intermodal freight containers are not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. 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 dated 28-09-2020.

What is the validity period of the SIMS registration number and when can an importer apply?

The automatic SIMS registration number is valid for 75 days from the date of grant; application may be made no earlier than 60 days before the expected date of arrival of the import consignment, per DGFT Notification 28/2023-24 dated 28-08-2023.

Are DTA-to-SEZ-to-DTA movements of steel containers exempt from SIMS registration?

Yes. Both movements — whether with or without value addition — are exempt from SIMS registration, as are re-imports of steel items solely for packaging purposes, per DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022.

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