Steel Import Monitoring System Registration - Process, Fees & Documents

The following documents and product details must be submitted for successful Steel Import Monitoring System registration:

Total fee for SIMS Registration is INR 3699 including govt. Fees and GST.

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The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) introduced the Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) Registration, an online platform designed to control and oversee the import of steel goods into India. It protects the interests of domestic manufacturers, helps the government monitor import volumes, and guarantees transparency in the steel trade. Steel Import Monitoring System 2.0 (SIMS 2.0) is the upgraded version of the Steel Import Monitoring System 1.0 introduced by the Ministry of Steel on 25 July 2024. This system aims to better monitor and manage the importation of steel in India. The old portal SIMS 1.0 has been replaced by SIMS 2.0 portal. The import policy for covered steel items is “Free, subject to compulsory registration under SIMS.” No separate government approval is required for import; importers are required to complete advance registration of the shipment details under SIMS.

The Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) was introduced under DGFT Notification No. 17/2015-2020 dated 5 September 2019 and became effective from 1 November 2019 . Before submitting their goods for customs clearance, importers of notified steel items are required to register online under this system. Information like the country of origin, HS code, description, quantity, and value must be entered during registration. Following completion of the procedure, a special registration number is given, which must be included in the Bill of Entry at the time of import.

All companies and individuals bringing notified steel products into India must register for the Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS). The following are the requirements for eligibility:

• Notified Steel Product Importers: Before importing steel products covered by the DGFT's SIMS notification, importers must apply for registration.
• Companies of Every Size: Small traders and large corporations involved in steel imports are both eligible and obliged to register.
• Personal Importers: The eligibility requirements also apply to proprietors or independent importers of steel products.
• Customs Brokers and Authorised Agents: Customs brokers and authorised agents filing import documentation on behalf of an IEC holder can apply for SIMS registration on behalf of the importer.
• SEZ / EOU Units: SEZ and EOU units clearing notified steel products into the Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) are also required to comply with the applicable SIMS registration requirements.

These include importers, and the government can benefit from the Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) Registration in a number of ways. Among the main advantages are:

Source: Notice No. S-21022/9/2025-TRADE-TAX dated 19 February 2026 (effective 20 February 2026), Ministry of Steel. This notice supersedes the earlier filing window notices dated 13 June 2025, 4 August 2025, and 10 September 2025.

The 542 notified tariff lines under SIMS fall into four product categories used by the Ministry of Steel for import monitoring and policy analysis. Importers can use these categories to identify whether their product requires SIMS registration before checking the specific 8-digit ITC-HS code.

Note: Stainless Steel products appear across Flat, Long, and Pipes & Tubes categories. The Ministry of Steel treats Stainless as a separate category in SIMS monitoring reports due to its distinct trade flows and policy treatment. SIMS registration is required regardless of which category your product falls in — verify your exact 8-digit ITC-HS code on the SIMS 2.0 portal at before filing.

Listed below are some of the common mistakes that lead to rejection and cause immediate customs holds:

• Incorrect IEC Details: Mismatch between Import Export Code and SIMS application is one of the most common reasons for rejections
• Wrong HS Code: Incorrect HS code selection results in compliance failures and delay in verification
• Invalid Information of Importer: Invalid or incorrect importer information such as incorrect PAN, GST or address results in rejection
• Late Registration:Delay in filing application before shipment arrival leads to cargo detention.

SIMS and BIS are two separate and independent requirements. Holding one does not substitute for the other — importers of QCO-covered steel products must comply with both before the shipment clears customs.

Important: Steel products covered under a QCO require both SIMS registration (DGFT) and a valid BIS licence (Bureau of Indian Standards) before customs clearance. Verify whether your product falls under an active QCO before shipment. Apply for BIS / ISI Mark Registration →

Steel Import Monitoring System registration is a mandatory compliance requirement that requires proper documentation, timely submission, and strict adherence to the regulations of the DGFT. Any error or delay in the application may affect customs clearance and result in financial risk.

With India strengthening its regulatory monitoring of imported goods in various sectors, it has put in place several product-specific monitoring systems. For instance, businesses dealing with the import of semiconductors and electronic components must adhere to the Chip Import Monitoring System (CHIMS), which works under a similar regulatory structure. Therefore, it is essential to understand these regulatory compliance procedures in advance to ensure smooth trade operations. Professional Utilities, with over a decade of experience in trade compliance, offers support services for timely registration in product-specific monitoring systems.