Why Steel Import Monitoring System is Implemented

The Government has introduced a Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) vide Notification dated 5th September, 2019 which has changed the import policy of specific iron and steel items appearing in Chapter 72, 73 and 86 of Indian Trade Classification (Harmonised System) , 2017, Schedule – I (Import Policy) from 'free' to 'free subject to compulsory registration'.  This will require importers of 284 tariff lines of iron and steel to submit advance information of their imports on an online system to get an automatic registration number.

An importer can apply for registration not earlier than 60^th day and not later than 15^th day before the expected date of arrival of the import consignment. The validity of registration will be for a period of 75 days. The only thing to be entered by an importer in the Bill of Entry is the registration number and expiry date of registration.

The purpose of SIMS is to gather advance information on important items of iron and steel and make it available to the stakeholders including Government and Indian domestic industry in responding to the market conditions in a more dynamic manner.

This information was given by the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.